Both sides were clearly missing regular players after a long hard season and both still had big games on the horizon. For us Louis Matthews, Jonny Cotterill, Morgan Scrace were given time to recover for the national cup run. Nice to have a squad of 21 though, an opportunity to create some plans to see if they could make a difference.

Parks pitch was in perfect condition, light breeze drifting through - great night for a game of rugby. When I was growing up No Fear T-Shirts were all the rage - of which I had many. My favourite one was "If you want to play with the big dogs you got to learn to piss in the long grass" Time to see what a level 6 side was about.

We started on top, camped deep in Park's half with our lineout working well and some rewinds making half breaks. Our scrum was suffering but there are plenty of other places to thrive in a game of rugby. After a few penalties we went to the corner and nearly made it to the line - Max Cook and Michael Searle came in to get it two more metres. Controversially, Searle had also taken possession of the ball and scored the try. Forwards must've been fuming a back had took the crowning glory. Conversion added by Josh Farley for a 7-0 lead.

From the kick off we played far too much rugby and a misplaced pass in midfield led to an incredibly soft try. Heartbreaking after working so hard for our try but hopefully a lesson learned.

That calmed Park and they showed us what they are good at. Their big lads got over the gain line, then the rest of their pack flowed onto the ball perfectly - then hit the edge. Often at times they were carrying forward as we were trying to get back into line ! Pretty impressive to watch although they did miss an opportunity to score with a misplaced pass. However, their second scrum penalty put them back on attack and we missed a tackle after a great carry and offload from their hooker (thankfully it wasn't Fish) Try converted 7-12 down.

We soon earned a penalty 30m out and Dylan Gittins called for the kick to be taken. A real cup final decision, as we have hardly kicked a penalty in the league this season ! Josh Farley slotted it to make it 10-12.

Percy Park then entered a bit of a purple patch - scrum dominant, gain line success which had us on the back foot and we conceded a few penalties. They kicked to the corner and we chose to compete - high risk and no reward on this occasion as they crashed over in the corner. 10-17.

A few handbags thrown after the kick off as we were penalised for a late tip tackle. Player wasn't hurt but ref Graham Crozier managed to calm the sides down and get back to rugby. Park put their effort into getting another scrum penalty and moved down field. We were under the cosh but some great scramble defence kept them out. However, at the next ruck their front rower came from wide out and hit the hard line for the try. Fantastic sideline conversion. 10-24 with about 5 mins to go to half time.

Just when it looked like Park had grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck we battled back. Loads of pressure won penalties and we were on their line. We hammered away with some pick n go's, eventually changing the defensive picture. Andrew Kirton and Johnny McSorley pre bound for one more carry. Nope, Cam Wallace miss pass out to Sam Busby who then put the 2 on 1 away for Sam Cleife to score out wide. Half time arrives at 15-24.

Few changes made but the biggest change we needed to make was attack where we said we wanted to attack. We had scored 15 points but hadn't really accessed some running channels available nor asked questions of their back three. Only three kicks in the first half - unlike us.

From the off the second half just seemed ours - energy across the field, especially at the breakdown and finally getting things right tactically. Rhys Merlane's first scoot from a ruck was at the second defender and he broke through. We should've scored really but we recycled possession. A nice rewind of play as Andrew Kirton pulled the ball back To Josh Farley. Then it was perfect pass to the next bloke stuff - he hit Micheal Searle, lift to Sam Busby, lift to Max Cook who had to much gas for the cover. 20-24.

Next thing we did was clear our lines and their winger dropped the ball - finally, doing the things we said we were going to do. It didn't all go our way though as we had lost Sam Busby to a tip tackle.

We drove back upfield and Dylan Gittins carried into two defenders - they both fell of those famous Gittins hips. Onto the ball raced Rhys Merlane and we were in behind them. Sion Gittins showed the family bone structure off again with a step and offload to Josh Farley for a great try. Farley converted from under the posts and we were back in the lead 27-24.

Another bump in the road as Rob Baldwin was injured in a carry from the kick off. Then from a midfield scrum we did a lovely reverse 8/9 and had a 4 v 1 somehow. The ref and his team judging that we were 80m from the try line so a yellow card wasn't necessary. Perhaps, rightly so but boy it would've swung the game our way.

We lost our way after kicking the ball out for a lineout so Josh Farley kicked the ball outwide and the bounce favoured us. Sam Cleife regathered the ball and tore down to ten metres from the line. In a scrappy piece of play we lost the ball but then Park knocked it on. Ball scooped up by Harry Tankard who danced in for the try. 32-24 and a few Park lads starting to look shocked.

Park lost their discipline in the next few mins as Dylan Gittins put us back on attack from the kick off. We won a penalty at a lineout and the Park second row was marched on a couple of occasions for back chat. We could've gone for goal but it was time to roll the dice. Incredibly, the maul thing happened again. Searle and Cook added their weight to a maul that had stopped. This time it was Max Cook asking for the ball for the try. 37-24 and their was now a real believe that we could nick this.

Park rallied thougha and we were under pressure for a few mins. Somehow we kept them out, wrapping up the ball carrier and bringing him over the line. Another big swing as the goal line clearance was dropped by one of their back three again. Back on attack, a bounce pass fell to Sam Evans. Faced with a 2 on 2 he stood up his man and put Sam Cleife on the outside. He raced down the outside and chipped to the corner before winning the race to the ball for a great try. Final score 42-24 !

Thank you to Park for hosting the event - some facility and great hospitality. Was enjoyable to watch how good you were on the gain line, how your forwards really flow onto the ball. We are well aware that we will struggle with your full strength side next season. However, I hope the boys heave learned that there is nothing to fear at level 6, just to respect.

Cheers to Graham Crozier and his team of three - great to have an experienced ref pick up the plate final. So calm and let the players know what he wanted to see.

Novos, a historic victory based on desire, energy and then at the end getting our tactics right. Everything we touched in the 2nd half just seemed to turn to gold. Must say I thought the Gittins brothers were outstanding and the cameo from Rhys Merlane was vital. However, incredibly every Saturday is going to need that intensity, physicality next season.

Massive thanks to Michael Searle and Matthew Dawson helping guide the boys to another Plate Final win, for many a first though. Huge shout out to Nick Cotterill who has been fantastic as our Head of Rugby. Last but no means least our friends, families and club members who have cheered us on during this cup run. The noise on Wednesday was amazing.

Up the Vos !