Carlisle 31 Percy Park 5
Park travelled across to face Carlisle in warm, sunny conditions but left for home feeling a little overcast!
Facing a big, strong side Park consistantly turned over ball throughout the game to the frustration of players, coaches and spectators.
Despite steady scrummaging and good lineout variations Park failed to cross the gain line with conviction and kicked without purpose on a few too many occasions. Carlisle pressured for most of the first half and ran in three tries (one converted) to make the half time score 17 - 0 to the hosts. Rucking too high and flat backline in attack issues were identified during the break and these areas brought immediate improvement at the start of the second half. However Carlisle still managed to come away with Park ball in the loose far too frequently with a number of Park players trying to force passes in conjested conditions.
Carlise scored another two converted tries before starting to tire. Park enjoyed the majority of possession for the last 15 minutes of the game and scored a deserved try through Aaron Cottingham forcing the ball to ground under great pressure from Carlise defenders. Park showed glimses of exciting forward and back play near the end and were very unlucky not to score at the death when a tired Carlisle side just wanted to kick the ball off the park to end the match.
Final score Carlisle 31 Percy Park 5. Lots went right for the hosts on the day but basics let Park down so the score probably reflected the overall game.
Man of the Match: Ben Robertson