Hawcoat Park gain quick revenge 

HAWCOAT Park gained rapid revenge for defeat against their North Lancs Cumbria League rivals with a convincing victory.

Park lost 10-0 against the same opposition in Kirkby Stephen last weekend – in a game brought to an early conclusion due to a nasty injury suffered by an Upper Eden player.

But the result was much different this time around as the maroon and whites took an early lead and never looked back.

Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Nobby Clarke, Lee Shutteworth and their team of volunteers, Saturday’s game got the go-ahead on an unusually heavy pitch.

And the match could not have started any better for the home side, catching the visitors cold in the first minute.

Skipper Adam Grainger made a strong run before passing to Will Mallinson who made ground. He then slipped a great pass to strong running winger Chris Burns who finished off well. Matt Sayle booted the conversion.

The game then settled down into an evenly-fought match on a heavy surface.

Both packs were testing each other out in an effort to get on top and the Upper Eden pack were starting to dominate at scrum time.

Both defences were well organised and the tackling was strong. Tenacious scrum half Anthony Munday was not only putting his own hand up in this department but was encouraging his pack mates on all the time.

An important feature for Park was coach Scott Kaighan being in a position to introduce a strong replacement bench in the energy-sapping conditions. As to be expected Danny White, Ryan Milner and Brad Morrow all made an immediate impact when introduced.

All were making their presence felt with their defence and White in particular was very effective with his running and distribution to help get Hawcoat on the front foot.

Sayle just missed with a penalty goal attempt, and there were no further scores in the first half as two pumped-up sides cancelled each other out in a good physical encounter.

Ten minutes into the second half Park extended their lead following a good spell of pressure playing their preferred way towards to clubhouse.

Both props Jason Priss and John Donnan made strong runs into the heart of the Upper Eden defence. When the ball was recycled fly half James Howden moved the ball out quickly and there was no stopping White when he burst onto the ball from 10 metres out.

As to be expected Upper Eden came right back and had their own good spell. Both Park centres Jack Sutherland and Matt Sayle were very solid in defence and made good ground with ball in hand. Full-back Jon Moses was also having a solid game. Upper Eden got their first points on the board when their their full-back booted over a great 40-metre kick.

But midway through the half Park scored their third and best try. Ash Mowat made the initial forceful run, carried on by Mike Lightfoot.Then just about all the team got their hands on the ball as short sharp passing moved the ball right across the pitch to winger Glen Kaighan.

He pinned his ears back and although his pace was negated by the heavy pitch he made good use of the conditions and a slide to squeeze in at the corner for 17-3.

The icing on the cake of the victory came towards the end with a fourth bonus point-earning try.

It was an individual effort deservedly going to skipper Grainger for his grafting efforts. He charged down a kick and as the ball was held up in the dead ball area he was first to react to gleefully dive on the ball.

Upper Eden showed their normal spirit before the final whistle to hit Park with everything they had in an effort to get a try. The tackling and collective defence was good and two individual efforts from Mallinson and Sutherland prevented certain tries.

Scrum half Munday took the man of the match award and up front it was great to see Callum Ramsay back to his outstanding best following a lengthy injury.

A word also for Egremont-based referee Martin Denvir who had his usual consistent game in difficult conditions.