Park House II (Shield Final) - 30th April 2023

Updated by: Admin - 02/05/2023

Two try Magsico leads from the front as Cranbrook Nomads edge Park House to win the Kent Shield.

 

On a sunny, windless late spring Sunday Cranbrook hosted the four Kent finals that produced wins for Cliffe, Old Gravesendians, Aylesford and finally in the best and closest match of the day our own Nomads defeated a fine Park House team by 27 to 26. 

After the abundant rainfall of the week the pitches looked lovely with a very lush but still soft surface on the old first fifteen pitch where in the first game at midday the speed and mobility of the Cliffe team produced a big win over a less mobile Sheppey side in the Salver final where both teams had strong and vocal support, final score 48-14. On the Sands Pitch the Vase final produced an enthralling match between Faversham and Old Gravesendians with the lead changing hands several times and Gravesendians just getting home by 37 to 33.

Back on the old first team pitch Thanet and Aylesford second teams had a close first half, but Aylesford got away in the second half to win the Kent Plate by 34-8.

This left the much-anticipated final match on the Sands pitch kicking off at 3.30 with Cranbrook selecting a very similar team to the one that had narrowly beaten Ashford in the semi-final, whilst Park House having convincingly beaten their neighbours Bromley in the own semi-final were expected to provide a stern test for the Nomads.

Park House had more of the ball at the beginning, but Cranbrook proved through the match very adept at getting turnovers and one such ended this pressure enabling them to respond. After Fabian Rimmer kicked through towards the left corner, Park House could not clear, and Cranbrook were adjudged held up as they went to the try line. This phase was under refs advantage and with no score he went back to award a penalty which Captain Cordrey kicked to touch on the 5-metre line.  From the secured lineout Kenny Magsico was able to break off the side of the maul on the blind side to open the scoring after 11 minutes.

The next 20 minutes produced no score as play went back and forth. Park House had some strong runners particularly around the fringes and a slippery fly half. Scrums were interesting as at various points one team or other was on top, but Cranbrook probably shaded this area particularly when getting 3 against the head in the second half. Lineouts were also competitive but both teams normally secured, under pressure, their own ball with Josh Parkes being particularly prominent for Cranbrook. This phase also included a number of fine, long, and varied clearance kicks by Rimmer, which the opposition back three struggled to deal with.

After 30 minutes Cranbrook with good phase play by the forwards were close to the try line, more quickly recycled ball suggested a possible overlap. Fly half Phil Catt spotted a small gap though and would be tacklers were unable to stop him as he dived over to score near the posts, Cordrey converting.

On 35 minutes Cranbrook were again pressing but Park House recovered to attempt to clear the ball. The fly half kicked but the rampaging young wing Wilf Sellick was on him in a flash and with a resounding thud he charged the kick down, the ball looped then dribbled into goal for an opportunist try as he dived on the ball. This was well deserved for Sellick made a number of good runs through the game, he made some good ground but was always tightly marked, but always found his forwards to recycle the ball.

With a 17 -0 lead it was looking good for Cranbrook, but the game was even and when Cranbrook were penalised from the kick off a series of phases from Park House produced a score in the corner. Worse was to follow as a kick through was allowed to bounce, Cranbrook were turned over and the fly half made a good break passing to a supporting forward for a converted try and a half time score of 17-12.

Cranbrook had to make a change at the interval as prop Miles Stockman was unable to continue, No 8 Chris Tomlin went to hooker and hooker Magsico to prop. Chances were rare but one nice move left was lost when the ball was overrun by Sellick. Park House were dangerous with a series of quick tap penalties to gain ground but the chance was lost when a player ran into his own man. The physicality of the game was demonstrated by the need to replace Rimmer and George Pay in quick succession after about an hour, Pay though had carried well and made ground several times.

Park House took the lead when their No8 scored when picking up from a 5-metre scrum. With the replacements Cranbrook took a moment to resettle but all added energy to the team effort. A fine long touch kick from a penalty by Cordrey, who was a vocal leader in encouraging his team, put Cranbrook into the 22. From the lineout on 70 minutes, they advanced and Magsico scored again with a fine twisting run, stretching out to ground the ball, Cordrey converting well. Magsico made another run shortly after and after phases Cranbrook were close to scoring on the right, before being forced into touch. Park House were penalised at the lineout and Cordrey sensibly opted for the kick from the 22,10 metres in. He confidently nailed a pressure kick to take Cranbrook 8 points clear with about 7 minutes remaining.

Park House were not finished and soon scored after try line pressure wide left, impressively converted, leaving Cranbrook a solitary point clear. They came again as full time approached, a kick through produced a Cranbrook lineout which was called not straight. This was the chance for Park House at a 5-metre scrum, but the tireless Cranbrook forwards produced their moment of the match comprehensively shoving Park House off their own ball to save the day, gaining a penalty. Thereafter they defended with courage and discipline, knowing any indiscretion would lose the game being in penalty kick range. Then the inspirational Tomlin made a crucial turnover, one of a number achieved in an area of Cranbrook dominance, the ball was cleared to touch, and Cranbrook could celebrate.

This had been a compelling match, with the intensity of a first team game, well refereed by the experienced Kevin Willis. Cranbrook had to dig really deep to win and collect the silverware and the many plaudits. Park House are a fine, mainly young team and will come again. A fantastic day for the club and the game of rugby seen at its glorious best.

 

Match report courtesy of Philip Rimmer.

 

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