Sat 26 Nov 2022
WPRFC v Douglas
26th November 2022 – One point defeat at home
WPRFC 27 – 28 Douglas
This week Park welcomed Douglas (IoM) to Stade de Burrows Hill who currently sit tenth in the table in the league two places above Park. The conditions were fine and dry, and Park were still looking for a third win in a tough league.
With the game underway, Park made a good start with both field position and territory with Shaun Underdown making ground up the middle of the field. Douglas was caught offside, and Park kicked for territory and had a lineout just inside the Douglas 22, the lineout was won, and this released the back line with Tom Merrick narrowly missing a scoring opportunity with a forward pass off load near the line. The scrum 5 metres out was won against the head and following a couple of forward drives, Matt Treacy scored the first converted try from close quarters (7-0).
Douglas restarted and had some possession, but Park defended well and did allow them to gain any momentum. Douglas got some field position, but Park worked hard to turnover the ball and clear their lines and turned defence into attack, but Douglas kept working to create opportunities and scored their first converted try on 18 minutes with an inside ball from the winger to the fly half to score to level the scoreboard (7-7). From the restart Park worked hard to close down Douglas and were awarded a penalty on the 22 which Benny Elliot kicked to take the lead again (10-7). Douglas indiscipline was their achilles heal towards the latter part of the first half with two kickable penalties which Benny Elliot struck beautifully to take Park ahead at the break (16-7). Park was by far the better side at this point with strong forward running making yards and the back line creating opportunities but not quite being able to score that second try with Charlie Hyde being denied a try near the break.
Half time score 16 - 7
The second half started with a mistake by Park at the restart which gave Douglas an opportunity and a missed tackle in midfield gave them their first unconverted try to close the gap (16-12). Park responded to this with a break from Charlie Hyde but the final pass did not go to hand and was cleared by Douglas, but Park did not capitalise on the position and an error from the lineout gave Douglas the scrum, but Park dominated the scrum and earned a penalty which Benny Elliot converted from the boot (19-12). Both sides were suffering from errors and indiscipline and the game became very scrappy and on 50 minutes Park were penalised for holding on and Douglas opted for the kick to close the gap (19-15). From the restart, Douglas was penalised at the ruck and Benny Elliot kicked the three points (22-15) but immediately Park was caught holding on at the ruck which gave Douglas the opportunity in front of the sticks but struck the post and Park cleared their lines. A few minutes later another infringement by Park gave Douglas another opportunity to kick from the tee from 40 metres out but fortunately missed. Douglas worked hard and another Park infringement for being offside on 61 minutes gave Douglas an easy three pointer to close the gap further (22-18).
The game was certainly in the balance with both sides misfiring and errors really hurting the team’s attack. On 67 minutes Park were caught with a Douglas kick through and the player being held back by the shirt gave Douglas another kicking opportunity which they kicked to make it a one-point game (22-21). Park was suffering from their own unforced errors and on 69 minutes Douglas broke through the line and a two on one gave Douglas their third try which they converted to take the lead for the first time in the game (22-28). Park again was suffering from errors and indiscipline which was hampering our attack but on 77 minutes Benny Elliot saw an opportunity and switching direction made a breakthrough and passed to Charlie Hyde who dived over near the corner flag to score a great try and bring the scores back to within one point with the conversion to take the lead. Unfortunately, it was a difficult kick from the side line and Benny Elliot struck it well but hit the near post (27-28). Douglas held on to win the game by one point.
A frustrating day with errors and indiscipline in the second half allowing Douglas to take the points.
Final score WPRFC 27 – 28 Douglas
Team: Jack Williams, Charlie Hyde, Chris Twigg, Will Morrillo, Tom Merrick, Benny Elliot, Cameron Flanagan, Jack England, Dan Williams, Gary Dykes, Ben Cann, Matt Treacy, Shaun Underdown (Captain), Justin Oles, Tom King, James Wood, Josh Gledhill and Jake Cornwell
