Munster Express Online

Waterpark 22, Cobh Pirates 6

Waterpark bounced back from their unlucky defeat in Tralee the previous week to register their fourth win in this competition when they outplayed Co Cork visitors, Cobh Pirates in Ballinakill on Sunday last by 22-6.

They now sit mid-table and unless something catastrophic happens are destined to ply their trade at this level next season, which is by no means a bad thing as shown in this game, with several of our younger players gaining valuable experience which will stand them in good stead as the seasons progress.

Park’s game plan was upset as early as the fifth minute when their influential Number 8 Glen Deacon had to retire with a leg injury and was replaced by James French who went on to have a fine game.

However, the blow was softened within a minute when hooker, Brendan Walsh, struck a lovely penalty from just inside the visitors’ half straight though the uprights to put the home side ahead at 3-0.

A further seven points was added within two minutes after a great pick-up in midfield by the returning Hein Havenga saw him break three tackles after which he sent his fellow centre Gerry Miller in the clear to run in under the posts from 40 metres for the opening try, which Walsh easily converted: 10-0 to Park.

With the home side totally in control it was no surprise when Walsh added another penalty on 20 minutes to increase the deficit to 13-0. At this juncture Park suffered yet another injury blow when winger Shane Kavanagh had to leave the field and be replaced by Donal Kavanagh.

This seemed to be the signal for Park to take their foot off the pedal which allowed Pirates back into the game. Their outhalf Brendan Ronan slotted over a penalty on 25 minutes and a peach of a drop goal 10 minutes later to leave the score at 13-6 coming up to half-time.

Workmanlike

Thankfully from the restart the home side started in the same vein as they did in the first half and had Pirates on the back foot early on and within five minutes Walsh had put another sweetly struck penalty between the sticks and Park ahead by 16-6.

On the hour mark prop, Pat Murphy and hooker Brendan Walsh were replaced by Gerry Harney and David Fitzgerald respectively. At this stage of the game the Pirates were getting desperate to register some further points and were scorning kicks at goal and running everything.

However, they were making very little inroads due to the solid defence of Havenga and Miller in midfield. On 70 minutes Park were very unlucky not to register their second try after a lovely passage of play took them from inside their own 22 virtually the length of the field only for left winger David Copeland to be bundled into touch just before the line.

However, from the ensuing lineout Pirates were penalised and with Walsh off the field the kicking duties were taken up by fullback Colum O’Shea who was successful with this the kick together with another penalty five minutes later to leave the final score at 22-6 to the home side.