Park fight back to earn bonus point after shaky start
By Bobby Bridge
A last-minute Chris Goode try ensured Manor Park would take a bonus point back home with them - but their reward could have been so much more.
Woodrush struck twice in the first 12 minutes to prompt fears they were in the mood to build on the previous week's 64-0 humbling of Ledbury.
However, Park scrambled brilliantly in defence as the hosts attempted to shift the ball wide and offload out of the tackle at every opportunity.
Stephen Ballard's effort reduced the deficit to five points before half-time, but a score against the run of play in the second-half put Woodrush two scores ahead before captain Goode gained his side a point for their efforts.
Woodrush are a club on the up with hundreds of thousands of pounds being invested in facilities this summer and players arriving from nearby clubs who are heading in the wrong direction.
Despite playing some lovely rugby early doors, it was from a Park mistake when Woodrush took the lead. A missed penalty kick was fumbled five metres from the line and from the resulting scrum, a classic number eight pick-up and burst proved unstoppable.
Woodrush came knocking once more and when a loose ball bounced invitingly for an onrushing back, Park were caught flat-footed as they fell 12 points behind.
The visiting supporters could've been excused for fearing the worst but Park began to make inroads with
Chris Morewood performing his full-back duties admirably while also punching big kicks downfield from penalty awards.
Lewis Turton's first appearance for many months in the fly-half shirt was his best for the club so far, showing great game management, especially with a fine kick ahead in the first half that gained his team 40 metres.
Once again the Manor Park line out functioned well and in close quarters, they had the upper hand on their opponents.
After a series of close range surges, tight-head prop for the day Ballard sniped at the base of a ruck to extend his body and dot down. Morewood knocked over a superb conversion to bring his side within five points.
Woodrush defended resolutely after the break and met force with force as Manor kept play tight, with counter-attacking play from the hosts being exchanged for the pragmatism of field position gained by putting boot to the ball.
From a scrum on the Woodrush 22, the ball was spilt between the half-backs and fell invitingly for the green and whites to pounce upon and go 80 metres to score a try firmly against the run of play in the second-half. However, for all their attacking endeavours before the break - a third try was probably considered a disappointing return as they fell short of a bonus point.
Once again Park did not buckle. The clock was against them as they made inroads into the defence but, with the last play of the game, Goode wriggled free to reach over in the right corner. The bonus point was already in the bag before Morewood struck another sensational conversion to draw an entertaining encounter to its conclusion.
PARK: Goode, Bridge, Ballard, Carvell, Green, Hammond, A.Morris, Marston. Woodward, Turton, Reynolds, Forryan, Ross, Andrews, Morewood. Subs: Watson, Bratt, Wilson.