Park pay the price for a long list of absentees

Sep 3 2007 by Ian Hargraves, Liverpool Daily Post

Preston Grasshoppers 22, West Park 0

ON THE face of it, a West Park side which had narrowly escaped relegation seemed to show little improvement when losing to Preston Grasshoppers.

However, considering the startling number of casualties they had suffered during the previous few days and the high position (third) their opponents achieved last season, they put up quite an impressive performance in National Three North.

With their best lineout man, Alan Marsh, one of the many absentees, along with two or three other forwards, they had great trouble gaining possession. Veteran Rob Hitchmough was just about the only back likely to make their best team, though in a different position, as on this occasion he had to turn out at fly half. When they conceded a try to opposing No 8 Richard Morton after only three minutes, and another to flanker Andy Dockray from close range soon after, it looked as though they might become victims of a rugby massacre. However, to their great credit, they fought bravely to the very end, conceding only one more try, and showing great courage and effort despite never gaining much possession.

When most of their best players, including backs Stephen Briers, Martin Ryan and Mark Turner plus lock Marsh and two or three other forwards, are able to return, it looks as if Park will be a completely different team.

Their defence was generally pretty good once they had settled down, but their future attacking potential is open to doubt, as they hardly ever gained possession on Saturday and had to rely on Hitchmough for posing any kind of threat.

However, one major plus was the performance of teenage scrum half Adam Anderson, who looked an excellent prospect.

They also have an experienced half back, who ironically wants to join them from Preston, waiting for official permission to move, so overall they could finish up with quite a useful team. On Saturday, Preston’s third try came late on from scrum half Phil Webster, and was converted by fly half Gerhard Boshoff, who had previously improved their second, and also landed a penalty.