Sat 3 Dec 2022
WPRFC v Firwood Waterloo
3rd December 2022 – Park produces a first-class performance to win at home
WPRFC 38 – 19 Firwood Waterloo
This week Park welcomed second place Firwood Waterloo (FW) for the return fixture and were keen to overturn the heavy defeat inflicted in the second game of the season some 3 months ago. We knew this was going to be a tough game as FW have had quite an impressive season so far. This was also a chance for debutant Liam Geary to get his first run out.
From the whistle Park showed their intentions with quick ball and strong running lines and were straight into the FW 22 and were awarded a penalty within 2 minutes which Benny Elliot kicked to open up our account (3-0). A minute later FW were again penalised at the breakdown and Park elected to kick for goal from 45 metres but was just short. A mistake by Park from a penalty gave FW a chance to clear their lines but Park ran from their own 22 with great hands through the back line but Chris Twigg was tackled 30 metres out but Park were rampant with great runs from Dave Cross and then Shaun Underdown who powered through three FW tacklers and deftly offloaded 3 metres out to Justin Oles who scored the first converted try of the game (10-0) Benny Elliot with the extras. It was a breath taking first 7 minutes! FW had some possession and field position, but Park defended strongly and did not allow FW to play but 12 minutes FW found an opportunity and scored a converted try to close the gap (10-7).
Park was wanting to play good rugby and showed their attacking ability with great runs from Charlie Hyde down the left wing and then debutant Liam Geary on the right wing, but FW turned defence into attack and caught Park short on the left side and scored a great try from their own 22 to take the lead (10-12). From the restart Park won the ball and started again through the phases with the forwards working hard to gain metres on every phase of play. A great run from Tom Merrick made metres and Park switched direction with two phases of play by the forwards and then Benny Elliot threw a cut out pass to Charlie Hyde who scored in the corner and Benny Elliot with the extras (17-12). Park stuck to their own game and were playing with confidence and not allowing FW to get any momentum. The final points of the first half went to Park from boot of Benny Elliott to round off a really solid Park performance (20-12) this was just after a great run by Liam Geary down the right side – not even the camera could keep up with him!
Half time score 20 - 12
From the start of the second half FW indiscipline gave park a kick at goal which narrowly missed but the FW clearance was straight to Chris Twigg who took the ball into the midfield and off loaded to Dan Williams who took the ball into the FW half and recycled quicky at the ruck Cameron Flanagan passed to Benny Elliot who beat three players to scored a great try and also added the extras to extend the lead (27-12). Park now had to work to close out this game and show that they can beat any team when they play to their potential. FW had some field position and from a scrum in the Park 22 they passed the ball out wide and a missed tackle by Park let FW score a converted try to close the gap (27-19) on 52 minutes. Park was dominating the game with line speed and defence and FW indiscipline gave Park another chance to extend the lead by the boot of Benny Elliot (30-19).
Park was now playing with confidence and were closing down FW at every opportunity. The icing on the cake came on 65 minutes with more FW indiscipline at the breakdown and Park kicked for the corner. The lineout was won cleanly by Gary Dykes and a maul was set but Dan Williams emerged from the maul and stepped the winger to score that elusive fourth try which was unconverted (35-19). Park continued with their tenacity, and it was evident from the whole team that they were not going to let FW score a fourth try and indeed they worked hard for the remainder of the game to closeout a fantastic win at second place in the league. The final points of the game came a few minutes from the final whistle from the boot of Benny Elliot to round off a fantastic well-earned win (38-19).
A great performance by all 18 players who showed great tenacity and skill to dominate the game and close out the game with a 5-point bonus point win to lift us off the foot of the table. Well done team!
Final score WPRFC 38 – 19 Firwood Waterloo
Team: Chris Twigg, Liam Geary, Tom Merrick, Will Morrillo, Charlie Hyde, Benny Elliot, Cameron Flanagan, Tom King, Justin Oles, Shaun Underdown (Captain), Dave Cross, Matt Treacy, Gary Dykes, Jack England, Dan Williams, Ross Morrin, Jake Cornwell and Alex Burrage
