Fox Valley 10 LPRFC 30

An excellent first half keyed Park’s second win in two games to start the season. On a hot and humid day, Park lost much of their attacking momentum in the second period, but had done more than enough early in the game to complete a comfortable victory.

Their defence was excellent for most of the match with Husselbee – fast becoming a leader in that regard – fronting up with a several turnovers and a blocked kick that lead to a Carso try.

An early Jahner penalty just inside the 22 gave Park the lead but despite playing almost exclusively in the Fox Valley half, it was not until the 18th minute that Park finally broke through for a try; McCann finishing a wonderful move that involved a multitude of Park players.

Park’s backline is looking increasingly dangerous as this season progresses and despite a couple of enforced changes, they found consistent success in the wide channels through Finnegan and Walther.

A Fox Valley penalty in a rare excursion into Park’s half narrowed the scoreline before a Finnegan break was ably supported by McCann for his second try.

Carso touched down under the posts following a Husselbee blocked kick to end the half as park went in with a 25 – 3 advantage.

The second half showed Park’s defensive resilience. They found it more difficult to gain territorial advantage but resolute tackling turned back their opponents and for much of the half the match drifted into a stalemate.

Fox Valley finally broke through in the 66th minute before Walther completed a fine individual performance with a try in the dying moments.

Team: Melody (Sowa), Laux (Moran), Kirby, Moline, Leyman (Mulholand), Debacker, Foley (Driscoll), Jahner, Nolan (Aiello), Carso, Finnegan, Husselbee, McCann, Walther (Walsh E.), Walsh J. (Scully)

Try: McCann 2, Carso 1, Walther 1
Con: Jahner 2
Pen: Jahner 2

Fox Valley 36 LPRFC 7

In their first outing of the season, this was very much an evaluation game for Park’s D4 team. It was a match with several players making their LPRFC debut and a team that is still learning to gel together.

Park looked energetic in the opening minutes with newcomers Barnett and Manning combining well with old-hand Rosenfeld in the wide areas. Thomas too looked composed at scrum-half, martialling his forwards.

Stern and debutant Mainquist provided hard yards in the pack and Panciza continues to play well above his weight in the tackle area and breakdown.

Park went behind after 8 minutes when Fox Valley were awarded a penalty try for an offence close to Park’s goal line and the Moaris extended their lead midway through the half with a try wide on their left wing. A long break added a third try to complete the first half scoring.

Park settled a little in the second half and began to put together a little more multi-phase play. Barret and Patat continue to improve and Aiello showed his versatility with an outing on the wing.

A Barnett try sandwiched between two more from Fox valley gave Park a well-earned score for their persistence and never-say-die attitude.

Team: Mulholand (Driscoll), Nicholas (Rowley), Sowa (Carter), Stern, Mainquist, Lyons (Barrett), Panzica (Patat), Moran, Thomas, Rosenfeld, Manning, Barnett, Walsh E. (Aiello), Parker, Scully

Try: Barnett
Con: Thomas

LPRFC 43 SS Irish 31

Two late Irish tries in the final minutes of this encounter gave Park a little cause for concern, but it was in the end a well deserved win. There is certainly room for improvement in the coming games as Park struggled a little at the breakdown with the Irish causing constant disruption, but when they procured quick ball, Park looked dangerous in attack.

Griffin and McDonald added physicality to Park’s pack in the early stages with strong running and some bruising tackles and new flyhalf Carso was effective in controlling the tempo of the game.

Park started well with a try from McCann after just 10 minutes, the center making a smart break up the middle before veering to score under the posts. His center partner Husselbee added to the lead with a clever chip and chase down the left sideline.

With perhaps Park’s best team score of the match, Long scored his first of two tries, appearing in support wide on the left to complete a score that involved multiple players.

Despite resolute goal-line defence, Park were unable to keep out the Irish for their first try as their pick and drives eventually found space for a score.

When Melody replied in similar fashion in the last action of the first half, Park held a comfortable 26 – 7 lead.

A converted try and long range penalty kick inside the first 15 minutes of the second half gave the Irish momentum. Park were starting to look a little shaky and handling errors and penalties were giving the Irish a platform from which to attack.

A 40m penalty by Jahner edged park back into a 12 point lead before two tries in 4 minutes gave Park the cushion they needed to see out the game. A long Finnegan run was finished by Long in support and a 60m Thomas interception try put Park over 40 points.

Two late Irish tries gave them a little hope but Park held on for victory.

Team: Melody, Long (Mulholand), Kirby (Sowa), Moline (Foley), McDonald (Debacker), Griffin (Carey), Laux, Jahner, Nolan (Scully), Carso, Anderson (Caccappolo), Husselbee (Daley), McCann, Thomas, Finnegan

Try: Long 2, McCann 1, Husselbee 1, Melody 1, Thomas 1
Con: Jahner 5
Pen: Jahner 1