It seems 7 days is a long time in rugby as, for a variety of reasons, the Stags XV resembled the Bucks XV that had played the week earlier. From having 4 teams last week we struggled to put 2 out this.
West started quite brightly but Park played themselves into the game and scored an unconverted try on 10mins (5-0).
Park scored next on 26mins when an incredible piece of naivety on Wests part allowed Park to tap a 22 drop out over the line, pick up and run the ball up the touchline to score (12-0).
On 35mins Park exploited Wests poor kick chase game to pick off the chasers, counter attack and from a series of breakdowns score another 80m try (19-0).
Just as the half came to a close West lost full back Chris Harrison who, up to this point, had been having an outstanding game. Time after time he had shown his team mates how to tackle as he cut down attackers around the boots in a series of try saving efforts.
His injury came as he once again dropped a much larger opponent, got up, took the ball off him and then put in a clearance kick which caused a groin injury.
How West would miss his efforts in the 2nd half
This brought onto the field old man Southern at fly half.
HT 19 – 0.
The 2nd half was, unfortunately, a procession as Park played simple rugby to score a succession of tries. In fact they didn’t have to do anything but keep the ball for around 60secs for the West line to be breached. A somewhat disappointing outcome as heads went down and West players played as individuals rather than a team.
The Stags did get a consolation when they put together some good rugby to allow Jay Corbett to power over. Zac Southern converted.
When West went down to 14menPark’s skipper volunteered his services to keep the sides numerically equal.
The rout was completed at 76 – 7. Not a pleasant day for visiting players or supporters alike.
Park were not that good a team, they were okay but that is about all. Too many of Wests players played like 3rd Teamers and not Stags. At a decent level of rugby you cannot afford to take rests, if you kick then a poor chase is sinful, you must make first up tackles and you must communicate with your teammates. Fail to do those things and expect to get beat.
The response to such a beating will be interesting