'Park's last gasp win

Vagabonds 20 v 21 Broughton Park

With less than a minute of time left Vagabonds were given a penalty on the half way line. The Vagabonds outside half confidently kicked the ball arrow straight toward the posts for the winning three points. The wind, which had been blowing all afternoon suddenly died and the ball travelled below the posts instead of over to give Park the vital 2 points towards their push for promotion.

The game started with Park exerting pressure inside the Vagabonds half but through a combination of errors and missed opportunities remained scoreless. It was Vagabonds who opened the scoring when they scored a good try by committing the Park defence and creating an overlap wide out on the left. Vagabonds increased their lead to 10-0 when they were given a penalty infront of the posts and duly converted the chance.,

Worse was to befall Park as Matt Sheen was stretched off the pitch with a broken leg. Debutante Dave Legat replaced Matt and the Park forwards began to create the platform needed for Tom Foden to release the backs. It was Foden himself who arced round the Vagabond centres supplying Verbickas with a pass. Verbickas drew the winger and fed Booker to score wide out on the left. Verbickas converted the try and it was now the time for the Park pack to dominate their opponents. They did this and on the stroke of half time Mark Poole emerged with the ball from the bottom of a ruck claiming the 5 points. Once again Verbickas converted and Park led 14 - 10.

The second half started with park winning the ball from the kick off and confidently driving forward. The ball was fired out wide but a mis-directed pass fell to the ground and before anyone could react the Vagabonds centre kicked the ball forward and won the dash to the line for a 7 point score.

Park were now playing catch up rugby and their situation did not improve when Stuart Coackley limped off with an ankle injury. A reshuffling of the backs brought Verbickas into centre with O'Brien going to full back and Stirrup to scrum half. Park were penned back in their own half by some good tactical kicking by the Vagabonds fly half and were made to fight for any advancement made up the pitch. With time running out Vagabonds increased their lead with a well executed drop goal leaving park 6 points in arrears. A converted try was now needed and Andy O'Grady asked his team for one mighty effort.

Park were given a penalty which was kicked to the corner resulting in a 5m line out to Park. Mark Poole responded and was unstoppable from 5m leaving Verbickas the simple task of kicking the winning points from wide out on the left with the wind against him. He did not let Park down and the ball was sweetly struck and bisected the uprights. It was now up to the referee to blow for full time, however he blew for a penalty to Vagabonds.....................

Dave Walsh.