1st XV
Matches
Sat 17 Aug 2019
West Park
36
17
Widnes RUFC
1st XV
Way out West for Park

Way out West for Park

Stephen Clark25 Aug 2019 - 06:26
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.widnesrufc.com/tea

West Park won the Antony Morris/John Ratcliffe Memorial Trophy with victory over their near neighbours.

And although it was a pre-season fixture, it happened to be the red-and-blacks first defeat of any kind for almost a year and would have been an unfamiliar and unwelcome experience for many of the squad on the eve of the new campaign.

Park, though, were good value for the win, and were delighted to have claimed back the trophy they lost in the inaugural fixture at Heath Road, as well as the all important local derby day bragging rights.

To sum up; it was a worthwhile exercise as well as a marker for both teams who are due to meet again on a further two occasions in league and cup during the early weeks of the 2019/20 season.

On a pleasant sunny afternoon with a strong breeze blowing down the pitch, the game was played over four quarters to allow the coaches of both teams to have a good look at their respective squads as the new season approaches.

It was the home side who were quickest out of the blocks and they were assisted by a wealth of early possession as well as having the elements in their favour. They were also helped along by the away team who were slow to get a foothold into the game and generally looking a bit ring rusty.

Indeed, Park were quick to take advantage and soon hit them were it hurt as John Pape scored the opening try after just five minutes.
Looking lively, and giving the Wids defence plenty to think about, they added a second try on 15 minutes when Adam Woosey ran a fine angle to score with Jack Holland adding the extras.

The second quarter saw replacement Phil Barker in the thick of the action for the Wids, but when they failed to make their advantage count it was that man Woosey again who strolled over for his second try goaled again by Holland.

In the final minute of the first ‘half’ more pressure brought a fourth try for the home side from Ben Houlton which made the score 24 – nil at the break.

The third period offered Widnes some hope as Phil Barker reached out to score an early try despite the attention of three defenders, but Park responded quickly with two tries in quick succession from Adam Smith and Ryan Littler, with Holland adding one more conversion.

The final quarter saw Widnes put out a much more familiar line up which aided the fluidity and they were soon rewarded with another try from Josh Paton in the corner and converted in style from touch by Andy Owens.

More pressure on the Park line followed, and this time big Arnie Haydock was on hand to peel off from a maul close to the line and score another of his trade mark tries which reduced the arrears further.

Afterwards Head Coach Andy McIntosh said “Although we lost the game, it was a competitive fixture and a worthwhile exercise. We used the opportunity to rotate our squad to give them all some game time in preparation for when the real action starts again in a couple of week’s time”.

Match details

Match date

Sat 17 Aug 2019

Kickoff

15:00
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

League sponsor - ADM
Club Sponsor - Boydell Sports
Advertiser - Cheshire Bathrooms and Tiles
Advertiser - David M Robinson
Match sponsor - Enzo-CCA
Match sponsor - ESL Electromech
Club Sponsor - Gerrard O'Donnell
Advertiser - Heineken
Club Sponsor - John Geddes (Cycles) Ltd
Club Sponsor - Landscape World
Club Sponsor - Law 4 All
Club Sponsor - Michael C Adams
Club sponsor - Merseyflow
 Match Sponsor - Morbaine Properties Ltd
Match Sponsor - North West Contracts
Advertiser - O'Neills