Intermediate Cup Round 1 North, 13th October 2007

Broughton Park 37 v 3 Driffield

Broughton Park were hoping to continue their good form in the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup having reached the semi-final last season.

The 'Park team had a few changes from the win over Chester. Tom Mapp moved to out-half with Steve O'Connor injured, Dave Hanby in for the unavailable John Clifford and 'Big Mitch' was back in Ireland. Prop Jake Smith had a proper injury with an injured finger. Lathan Parry is expected to start training again next week. So with Dave Hanby, Sam Fuller, Pete MacMahon, Big Mitch, Lathan Parry and John Clifford competing for places, 'Park have healthy competition in the back row.

The omens were not good when Driffield retained possession and drove close to the 'Park line in the first few minutes giving the ball to their winger, but full-back Ronan O'Brien tackled him into touch. However, on 7 minutes Driffield continued to pressure and forced the 'Park No. 6 into giving away a penalty which was missed. Two minutes later the 'Park no. 13 tackled a player without the ball and the resulting penalty made the score 0 - 3 after 10 minutes.

'Park came more into the game with their feared scrummage starting to push the Driffield pack backwards. (Retired) Loosehead Andy O'Grady was giving his opposite number a torrid time, so much so, that the referee with his duty of care had to give him some protection. 'Park's pressure on the Driffield line led to a penalty, on 22 minutes, put over by Ronan O'Brien.

'Park's dominant scrummage was being penalised frequently but Man of the Match outhalf Tom Mapp managed some turnover ball which was killed by the opposition giving Ronan O'Brien a long range penalty to make the score 6 - 3 at half-time.

'Park were losing ground by being penalised in the scrummage and also over eagerness by some of the back row. Four penalties on the trot saw them move from being on the Driffield line to back defending their own try line.

In the first 5 minutes of the second half 'Park retained the ball with driven mauls towards the Driffield try line but were just stopped inches short. Scrum-half Richard McCabe came away with the ball and scored an impossible try with 3 tacklers hanging onto to him as he squirmed over the line. Ronan converted to make the score 13 - 3.

Big 2nd row Mark Poole broke through tackles and off loaded the ball which went through many hands to finish with full Back Ronan O'Brien up in support to score under the posts.

With 10 minutes to go tight-head prop Guy Barlow nearly got over the line after many driven mauls but was illegally stopped and Ronan put over another penalty to make the score 23 - 3.

Winger James O'Reilly made a good break but his pass to Richard McCabe was wayward. Richard managed to pick up and move the ball to Paddy O'Donnell supporting at speed for another converted try. 30 - 3 with 5 minutes to go.

From the kick-off 'Park gathered the ball and kicked ahead for Ben O'Brien to gather the ball and feed No'8 Sam Fuller up in support for a converted try to make the final score 37 - 3.

Despite being frequently penalised the 'Park pack and especially the front row with Andy O'Grady fearsome, destroyed the Driffield scrummage, which left the Driffield forwards with little energy to compete in the loose, where the very mobile 'Park back 5 were outstanding. The forward power drained the opposition and laid the foundations for the eventual comprehensive victory.