Stockwood Park battle back from 13-0 down to progress in Vase as Dunstablians are handed walkover win

Stockwood Park. Photos by Corinne Lovell. wk 47.

Slow-starting Stockwood Park battled back from 13-0 down to triumphed 18-13 at Old Wheatleyans in the third round of the Midlands Senior Vase on Saturday.

First team manager Warren Edwards said: “Park’s normally strong defence looked unusually vulnerable in the first 15 minutes and showed great strength of character in weathering the early storm and to claw their way back and turn on the style in the second half.

“Despite not firing on all cylinders it was an encouraging performance and, with some key players missing because of injuries, the replacements performed well, including encouraging showings from Trevor Fowler and Jack Brooks, providing Park with go forward-ball.”

Poor tackling, decision-making and indiscipline put Park on the back foot as the Coventry side scored two tries and kicked a penalty in the first quarter to lead 13-0.

Park hit back when Stephen Pollock made a smart break to score with Jason Carr converting.

Poor decision-making saw the visitors fall short of the try-line again before the break as they trailed 13-7 at the interval.

Stockwood played the second half with much more ball in hand and their pressure paid off when Carr kicked a penalty and Jack Brookes scored an unconverted try to put Park ahead.

Old Wheatleyans missed a penalty of their own from right in front of the uprights, before Carr’s 79th-minute penalty sealed the victory as Park soaked up some late pressure to win into the next round.

Meanwhile, Dunstablians were handed a walkover victory over Oakham in the third round of the Midlands Intermediate Cup.

Dees now go into the draw for the quarter-finals together with Bridgnorth, Leek, Leighton Buzzard, Newbold on Avon, Wolverhampton, Crewe and Nantwich and Loughborough.

Former Dees youngster Josh Skelcey made his Northampton Saints debut as a 78th-minute sub as they triumphed 39-18 at London Irish in Sunday’s LV= Cup clash.

This Saturday, Luton go to Chingford in London One North, Dees host Northampton Old Scouts in Midlands Two East South, while  in Midlands Three East South Park entertain St Ives (Midlands).