Sat 21 Sep 2019
HIGHLIGHTS
05’ 3-0 PENALTY WP
10’ 10-0 TRY WP; Conv
11’ 10-3 PENALTY ECCLES
15’ 15-3 TRY WP
19’ 22-3 TRY WP; Conv
22’ 22-10 TRY ECCLES (S Donovan); Conv (C Fortune)
30’ 22-15 TRY ECCLES (N Spooner)
40’ 29-15 TRY WP; Conv
HT 29-15
46’ 34-15 TRY WP
66’ 37-15 PENALTY WP
71’ 42-15 TRY WP
73’ 22-20 TRY ECCLES (D Ayanlaja-Lowo)
75’ 22-25 TRY ECCLES (Shea Skillicorn)
79’ 49-25 TRY WP; Conv
FT 49-25
REPORT
A beautiful day for the third game of the season with both teams so far undefeated: Park having beat Bolton and De La Salle, Eccles having earned a close victory over Tarleton and walloping Southport.
Park started the game strongly, earning a penalty after 5 minutes. A knock-on by Eccles whilst attacking Park's try line gifts the hosts a scrum from which they break to the Eccles try line and ultimately cross to score close to the sticks within 10 minutes of the kick off; converted. 10-0. Eccles pulled back 3 points with a penalty, but Park respond immediately and score, chasing a deft kick from their Fly-Half. 15-3. Park ease ahead scoring down the wing, following a good pass again from their Fly-Half; converted. 22-3.
Eccles, now 19 points down after just 19 minutes, finally react and subject Park to pressure and following an outrageous dummy from ‘X?’ to score near the sticks; converted 22-10. Eccles continue to press into the Winnington half and with 10 minutes to the break Nick Spooner scores a second try, shrinking Park’s comfortable lead to 22-15. Eccles have their tails up and pile on the pressure but knock-on again close to the Park line - the second time Eccles blow a strong chance with poor handling. Eccles continued to fail to help themselves, conceding three penalties within the last few minutes of the half and have a man sent to the bin for not rolling away. The Park Fly-Half kicks ahead and wins a race to the line to score under the sticks - the half comes to a conclusion with him having the greatest influence on the flow of the game and the score. Both teams are even at the scrum but Eccles have lost 2 of 4 line outs. HT 29–15.
Within six minutes of the restart Park break down the wing, switch across the pitch and score on the other side. 34-15. Two minutes after this try a strong run by Damola, who causes Park trouble throughout the game, goes on winding run and is brought down by a desperate tackle from the Park Fly-Half, who breaks his arm in the tackle and despite his attempts to play on he eventually leaves the pitch. For 20 minutes the score remained unchanged until a Park penalty stretches the lead to 37-15 and a few minutes later the Park forwards drive over in the corner for a try. 42-15.
Eccles scored two late tries, from Damola and Shea (neither converted) 42-25. Could a comeback be on? No. It’s too little, too late. At the death Winnington score and covert their sixth Try to maintain their unbeaten run. FT 49 - 25.
Eccles earn a bonus point from their late surge but will rue starting the game with a lack of intensity. We started slow, were always chasing the game and lacked the composure to take points from the attacking pressure created. At the other end our defence has leaked 113 points in 3 games. Will this be a theme for the season?
