Warwickshire RFU 2nd XV Shield Competition Final
ONE kick at goal was all that was needed to prevent Manor Park’s all conquering second team from claiming the Warwickshire Shield.
Coventry Welsh lifted the inaugural Shield on Sunday with a 3-0 victory courtesy of a simple second half penalty strike.
Hundreds of spectators lined Keresley’s pitch to witness the final which failed to produce the influx of scores the early attacking play threatened to yield.
Welsh were thwarted close to the line on two occasions before Park hit back with a five metre scrum, only for a crucial handling error to end the scoring opportunity.
Winger Lee Joyce showed his opponent a clean pair of heals in the first half but a lack of support saw the attack come to an end.
Into the second half and Welsh seemed destined to score until Sean Haughey produced a try saving tackle, and soon after Jon Marsh ended a two on one overlap with a merciless tackle.
But moments after Marsh’s intervention, match official Ranbhir Dhillon awarded Welsh a penalty between the posts which was comfortably converted by Russ Hughes.
Twice Park had opportunities from penalty strikes either side of Hughes’ successful attempt, but both Billy McBurnie and Frazer Heron were off target.
Welsh seemed content to hold onto their slender lead as the game became increasingly error strewn in the final twenty minutes.
Park’s try machine Aaron Willis was yellow carded with 15 minutes to go but it didn’t stop his team mates from nearly snatching a dramatic late match winning try.
Substitute Marcus Clarke probed into the 22 before offloading to Haughey who was bundled into touch yards from the line.
Park won only one game to achieve a place in the Shield Final, and will now refocus on their incredible Warwickshire III league campaign where they boast a perfect ten wins from ten games record.
Manor Park Seconds: Franklin, Wallis, Harrison, Wire, Hill. Lakin, Jordan, Freeman, Emery, McBurnie, Willis, Andrews , L.Joyce, Marsh. Subs: Clarke, Colley, Walker, C.Smith, Everard, Heron, Timmins.
Pinley 1st XV 29
Manor Park 1st XV 13
A CRUSHING away defeat to local rivals Pinley brought to an end Manor Park’s six match winning run that stretched back to October.
Tries from Lee Critchlow and Dean Abell were in vain as the home side cantered to a 22-0 lead in the second half before Park managed their first score.
A flurry of costly handling errors and poor pass selection cost Park dear, and early injuries to scrum-half Gaz Bennett and second row Paul Cart did not aid their cause.
Park did battle back with some pride with two tries which sandwiched Dan Joyce’s penalty strike but the damage had already been inflicted.
Coupled with Keresley’s heavy away victory at Rugby Welsh, Manor Park slip to fourth making this weekend’s match-up with Keresley at Griff and Coton a crucial encounter in their Midlands 4 West South campaign.
Some much-needed positive news on an otherwise drab weekend arrived when Manor Park’s third team cruised to a 54-0 win over Birstall seconds.
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Manor Park RFC 25
Stoke Old Boys RFC 5 23rd January
MANOR Park bid a heavy-hearted farewell to one of its most consistent performers Chris Huskins in style with a four try demolition of Stoke Old Boys.
The versatile front rower, equally apt on both sides of the scrum and at hooker, was playing his last game before relocating with his wife to Devon.
And true to form he helped Park dominate the set piece and ruck area smoothing the way for the backs to score all four tries in a handsome victory.
It was Park’s fifth straight win, falling on the day of the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations, which saw them rise to rise to third in Midlands 4 West (South).
Having lost heavily to Stoke Old Boys in their two previous fixtures, Park exploded out of the traps camping themselves inside the opposition’s 22.
After a series of close range pick up and drives, captain Lee Maddison arrived from deep at speed to crash over the line for his second try of the season, converted by Dan Joyce.
It was from the boot of Joyce Park added to their points tally after a blatant offside offence brought about a kickable close range penalty and a yellow card for the Stoke culprit.
Twice full-back Cameron Forryan seemed destined to score, firstly being caught metres from the line and secondly for a marginal forward pass when clean through.
A well oiled line out was helping Park gobble up territory and the next score was inevitable. From a five metre scrum number eight Matt Marston popped to powerhouse scrum half Gaz Bennett who squirmed in to score an unimproved try.
Trailing by 15 points and half time still minutes away the opposition attacked from deep until the ball dropped loose for Joyce who speedily arched a run to the line and score in the corner.
Warnings of complacency were issued at half-time as a contained 20 minutes ensued after the re-start until another moment of Joyce magic brought about Park’s final try.
A spilt ball on half way saw the fly-half hack on into the Stoke 22 where under heavy pressure he neatly hacked on into the in goal and beat a desperate defensive effort to touch down for his second try - and sixth of the season.
Stoke managed a late consolation score but it was too little too late to stop Park’s winning run which stretches back to October 31 - ironically a crushing 31-5 defeat away to Stoke Old Boys.
Aaron Willis made it 16 tries for the second team this season as he scored a hat-trick in the 29-20 victory away at Coventrians. Tom Colley scored Park’s other try and Billy McBurnie scored three conversions and one penalty kick. |
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Manor Park 13 Pinley RFC 12 Saturday 7th November 2009
AN INCREDIBLE touchline conversion from Manor Park fly-half Dan Joyce earned his side a last ditch victory in this must-win local derby.
Trailing 12-3 with less than ten minutes to play it seemed Park were doomed to a fourth successive defeat that would spark inevitable talk of relegation.
But the home side’s heads failed to drop as they continued to probe their tiring opponents in search of a salvaging score.
Joyce, 20, first slotted over a tense close range penalty reducing the deficit to six points with five minutes to play.
A sparkling break from full-back Cameron Forryan took his side to within inches of the line as both Gaz Bennett and Matt Marston both attempted to power over the tryline.
As play broke down a scrum was awarded, Marston carried the ball blind passing to Bennett whose lay off to Adam Jardine saw the substitute score in the corner.
Step forward Joyce. Tight to the touchline on the 22, he struck the ball sweetly between the posts to give Park a one point lead which they preserved in the final minutes of play.
“It was a brilliant kick by Dan, he knew there was pressure on the kick but you wouldn’t have guessed with how confidently he struck it, it’s a massive turning point in our season,” said head coach Nick Bishop.
It was Joyce’s early penalty strike which gave his side a slim 3-0 lead at the interval.
Fierce defence and excellent organisation kept Pinley at bay as they camped on Manor’s line for a five minute first half spell.
Handling errors at key times stamped out Manor’s attacking threat and they were made to pay with 20 minutes to go as Pinley scored two tries in quick succession.
Firstly a number 8 pick up went unnoticed for an unconverted score and a backs move and more sloppy defence allowed Pinley to open their 12-3 lead.
Trademark defence splitting runs from captain Lee Maddison put his side on the go-forward and winger Stuart Davey was one despairing tackle away from a lengthy sprint into the corner.
Positive substitutions from Bishop saw young pair Gaz Hammond and Jardine thrust into proceedings - the latter scoring the match saving try.
Park travel to Rugby Welsh this weekend hoping to bring to an end their 100 per cent start to the season.
Manor Park; Checkley, Emery, C.Huskins, King, Cart, Abell, Wicket (Hammond), Marston, Bennett, D.Joyce, Maddison, Reynolds, Davey, Andrews (Jardine), Forryan.
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October 17th 2009 Keresley 11 v 8 Manor Park Midlands 4 west (south)
A TRY by Adam Jardine following a beautiful counter attack from Manor’s 22 raised the bar of expectation in the first half of this local derby.
Joe Reynolds returned an aimless punt with a rampaging run through Keresley’s defence before offloading to Dan Joyce who combined with Tom Hill to put Jardine over for an unimproved score.
But Manor flattered to deceive, putting in a error-strewn display that allowed an average at best Keresley side to grind out a victory.
Keresley cancelled out Manor’s first half score when a period of pressure finally saw the defence buckle and allow Keresley’s inside-centre over for the unconverted score.
Having drew last season’s corresponding fixture 5-5, the sides changed halves with that familiar scoreline intact.
Park’s industry upfront and tidy lineout work failed to yield field territory as a number of poor kicks were easily fielded by the home side.
A puzzled referee also lost all knowledge of the offside allowing a farcical amount of leniency at the ruck area which often forced Park into hurried clearances.
Joyce kept his good scoring form up for Park by slotting over a penalty to give his side a lead that was cancelled out soon after.
Another debatable penalty presented Keresley’s impressive fly-half to slot over what proved to be the winning strike.
The final whistle signalled Park’s second defeat in three league fixtures so far this season.
They travel to Shropshire outfit Clee Hill in the Junior Vase hoping to return to winning ways.
Manor Park II 22
Shipston II 15
TWO tries from the pirouetting poacher Gary Lakin helped Park’s second team stretch their winning run in the league to four games.
With no third team fixture the seconds fielded an unfamiliar side and early errors saw the visitors race into a 10-0 lead.
Step forward Lakin. Using the Joe Rockoko spin he twice crossed the Shipson line to give his side the lead.
But even his brace of fleet footed fancies were out-done by Tom Colley’s dazzling run from the half-way line to touch down.
Two conversions from Jon Marsh and Fraser Heron and a further penalty from Heron saw Manor’s second home to victory.
PREPARED... Manor's pack await the lineout throw.
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September 26th 2009
Dudley 10 v 13 Manor Park
Midlands 4 West (South)
MANOR Park began its 50th anniversary year in golden fashion with a battling victory away in the Black Country.
The first fixture of the Midlands 4 West (South) campaign took Park to the venue of one of last season’s most disappointing defeats - but that dark memory was erased with a gritty, resolute performance.
Bullish workby thevisitor’s pack early on saw them worktheir way up fieldtesting Waspsforwards in the early exchanges and were rewarded with a penalty,Dan Joyce duly converting.
Parkmaintained thepressure on the home defence andwhen some slick handling in midfield createdthe overlap, new signing, Adam Lenton was unlucky not to score, being stopped just short with a superbcover tackle by the Dudley fullback.
The decision to select the heavyweight defensive unit of Dean Abell, Lea Barton and Matt Marston in the back row paid dividends for coach Nick Bishop – as they gave their opponents half-backs a torrid afternoon in the September sun.
Further indiscipline by the home side enabled Joyce to double his side’s advantage from a penalty.
A lapse of concentration in defence allowedDudley a rare excursion into Park territory, taking full advantage of some excellent support play working the ball through several phases finally finishing with theirflanker scoring out wide,the conversion was off target.
But Park hit back when lively link play between backs and forwards stretched Wasps and when fullback, Cameron Forryan chipped behind, the bounce landed kindly for thechasing Joyce who crossed the whitewash and improved his own try.
The remainder of the first half continued with the visiting pack in the ascendancy but unable further their lead.
The second half was a different story,Wasps started to play together stringing some phases andkeepinghold of the ball allowing their powerful back lineopportunity totest parks defence.
This was lead by Park’s outside centre Stuart Davey who put in a jaw-dropping performance with an impeccable exhibition of defensive play.
But eventually slick backs play afforded Wasps a try out-wide their efforts merited. A missed conversion ensured a nervy final 20 minutes with Park valiantly defending a three point lead.
Substitute Chris Huskins was deemed to have held the ball up over the line after a superb steal of Wasp’s line out.
Once again skipper Lee Maddison was instrumental in attack and caused Wasps a lot of trouble midfield but was unable to put the game out of the reach of Wasps.
A final line out steal from Dave Melville allowed Park’s only point scorer Joyce to hoof into touch and give his side the perfect start to their league campaign.
"It wasnt always pretty buta win in Dudley is never easy and it is the perfect start for our league campaign in our 50th year. We are starting to mature as a team and played at a good tempo," said coach Bishop.
Manor Park Second XV 25
Kenilworth III 0
AARON Willis made it six tries in three games for the second team as they extended their perfect start to the season with a comprehensive victory.
His latest touch down was supported by scores from Simon Tunnicliffe who showed his nose for the line with a darting try and Tom Colley also dotted down. Centre Billy Macburnie added ten points from the boot with two conversions and two penalties.
Russ Franklin’s seconds are yet to concede a point in their first two fixtures, and travel to Wellesbourne this weekend aiming for a third victory on the bounce.
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September 19th 2009
Manor Park 27 v 31 Leamington Extras
A LACK of cutting edge and crucial missed tackles cost Manor Park a victory in their final warm-up game ahead of this weekend’s first league fixture away at Dudley.
In no time at all a strong Leamington outfit raced into a 12-0 lead as Park wasted their hardwork up front with some lacklustre defence.
The early setbacks were quickly forgotten as the home side got on the front foot with captain Lee Maddison kicking intelligently and scrum half Dan Joyce putting in an all-action display.
Young centre Joe Reynolds produced a sparkling break running half the pitch only to miss-direct the crucial pass when ten metres from the line.
His midfield partner Maddison was guilty of the same crime when his pass was agonisingly out of Adam Lenton’s reach.
But pressure did finally pay off as Matt Marston scrambled over from close range to score Park’s first points, which was improved by Joyce’s conversion and a penalty strike soon after.
Into the second half and Park grew in confidence after being awarded a succession of penalties.
Camped on the visitor’s line it seemed a score would escape Park’s grasp when the ball was held up over the line, only for substitute Dean Abell to wrestle the ball free and powerfully touch down.
A lovely break from Maddison was followed by a well timed pass to Cameron Forryan who danced around his opposite number to score a flowing backs’ try.
Once Park gained the lead, a series of frustrating lapses in concentration and poor defence afforded Leamington scores their performance scarcely merited.
Two highlights of the match came from Stuart Davey who made a pair of superb last ditch tackles to prevent Leamington certain tries.
Needing two scores from the final play Joyce used suberb vision to execute a wonderful cross field kick which Adam Lenton raced on to collect and score from close range.
Pinley 5 v 16 Manor Park II
PARK arrived at Wyken Croft to discover a team of first teamers were their opposition for this second team fixture.
But with a side blessed with talent, Manor’s second team would give most first teams at this level a run for their money.
Fresh from scoring four tries last week Aaron Willis once again crossed the whitewash and Gaz Bennett also scored in an all-round impressive display. The further five points came from the boot of Jon Marsh.
Dave Melville and Paul Cart were singled out by second team skipper Russ Franklin as two of the stand-out players in an excellent away day victory. Kenilworth thirds are the visitors to the Griff and Coton this weekend.
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September 12th 2009
Trinity Guild 0 v 42 Manor Park
AMBITIONS for Manor Park’s season ahead soared following a convincing one-sided friendly victory.
After a summer of hard graft on the training pitch, Park put their practice into action to run home eight tries, scarcely stepping onto the back foot in the searing heat.
The first two tries were secured through the power of the forwards as Matt Marston and Martin Checkley both dotted down from close range.
Their seniority in the forwards was mixed with flashes of youth, as Chris Belcher and Lea Barton made excellent first team debuts on the flanks.
Simon Tunnicliffe showed his raw pace and enthusiasm to perform following a couple of injury ravaged season with an awesome display that yielded two tries and some huge tackles.
Having lost first choice fly-half Callum Bishop to a horrifying leg break in pre-season training, Adam Jardine stepped up to the mark with an assured performance in his place - and even bagged a try for his efforts.
After missing the majority of last season with injury, Dan Joyce relished his opportunity at scrum half scoring a brace of tries.
Cameron Forryan completed the scoring when he hacked a loose ball for 60 metres before finally scrambling the ball over the line to score.
“I was impressed with the attitude of the players and the link up play between forwards and backs,” said head coach Nick Bishop.
“I expected a bit more from Trinity and there will be tougher games ahead for us, but this was a positive start.”
Manor Park II 56
Spartans III 0
It was a case of ‘anything you can do, we can do better’ for the second team as they began their league campaign with a ten try obliteration of Spartans.
Aaron Willis underlined his potential by scoring four tries and Tom Colley also touched down twice.
The remaining four tries were shared out between Chris Huskins, Rich Andrews, Gary Lakin and Jon Marsh.
Manor Park’s third teams fought bravely against a strong Newtonians third team to lose 44-24
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