SATURDAY 6th MARCH 2010

Rosslyn Park 62  Bridgwater & Albion  24

Despite resting several players, Rosslyn Park cruised to victory over the bottom club without ever really going through the gears. Poor Bridgwater could not even field a full complement of replacements, but they had spirit by the bucketful and that – and some less than clinical play by the home side – just about kept the score within reasonable bounds.

Almost from kick off Park had a penalty 10 metres inside the Bridgwater half, but Ross Laidlaw’s kick fell short. They were soon on the scoreboard anyway when a good move up the right saw the ball moved inside for Billy O’Driscoll to score, Laidlaw adding the conversion. Park were straight back and a golden chance was missed when the ball was dropped after a super move. Then the home side lay siege to the visitors’ line but somehow they survived the onslaught.

Bridgwater hit back with a sucker punch after 7 minutes. A poor clearance kick by Park, under no real pressure, saw ‘Bridgy’ move the ball quickly and scrum half Jack Kohler – celebrating his 18th birthday – could hardly believe his own luck as he went through unchallenged to score with a theatrical dive. Number 8 Greg Charlton added a simple conversion and the scores were level.

Almost immediately Park gained a penalty for Laidlaw to put them back in front. Then on 15 minutes some good running rugby was rewarded when Howard Quigley got over, Laidlaw added the extras. Park were soon back, and a kick up the right saw early replacement full-back Anthony Fenner scoot in to touch down only for his effort to be disallowed for an earlier knock on. No matter, Park soon won the ball back, bundled the visitors backwards for Morgan Jones to score.

In truth, this was ‘sweets from kids’ stuff, and after the previous week’s demanding battle with Ealing the Park players seemed to have difficulty in maintaining total focus in this match. Several times there were promising breaks from which Park ceded possession because they ran away from their support. Just as a cricket score seemed possible, Bridgwater brought them back to earth with a great move up their left flank which saw hooker Matt Hastie crash over to reduce the arrears to 24-12 on 34 minutes.

That served only to goad Park, and a great run from Laidlaw found skipper Rob Jewell in support, to go over for a super try out wide to bring up Park’s 4-try bonus and make the score 29-12 at the interval.

Park were immediately in the Bridgwater half when play re-started, spurned a kickable penalty to kick for the corner. Park exerted tremendous pressure on the visitors’ line and eventually it was Morgan Jones who got over for the try, Laidlaw’s touchline conversion extending the lead to 36-12.

Park were straight back, running at the visitors from all angles. A particularly fine run from O’Driscoll set up another siege on the visiting line. Bridgwater gave everything in resistance, managed to break upfield and, with the complicity of some poor defending, full back Will Topps provided the extra man for a good try, converted by Kohler.

When Bridgwater needed a second front row replacement, they had no one qualified on the bench so the game went to uncontested scrummages. The referee seemed unaware of a change in the Laws that means teams cannot use a replacement in these circumstances, and there was a long delay while this was sorted out with the touch judges and Fourth Official. Eventually play re-started with the visitors reduced to 14 men. From the first uncontested scrum, Laidlaw made good use of the space it allowed him, to score a good try that he made look easy, converting himself for 43-19.

Replacement scrum half, Allen Chilten, nearly repeated the trick at the next scrum but was stopped; Laidlaw took the ball on and released winger James Strong to add to his points tally, Laidlaw’s conversion bringing up the 50.

Park were now threatening to run riot, and prop Will Collier showed some neat skills with a good run up the right wing to get over for 55-19. Park attacked again and this time they went through the middle, Jonny Barrett scoring under the posts and Laidlaw added a conversion for 62-19.

Deep into injury time Bridgwater gained a penalty, which they hefted into to touch deep into Park territory. Park offended again, and a quick tap caught the home defence flat-footed and Hastie got over for the visitors’ fourth try and their first point away from home this season.

In truth, the final score flattered Bridgwater’s ability, but the spirit and bravery with which they pursued a hopeless task surely deserved something.
Park: Lyndsey-Hague (Fenner), Strong, Jewell, O’Driscoll, Unseld; Laidlaw; Barr (Chilten); Daw, Ritchie (Tauialo), Collier; Quigley, A Jones; M Jones, Barratt, Gates (Lock).
Sub (did not play): Huggett
Park scorers: M Jones (2T), Laidlaw (T, P, 7C), O’Driscoll (T), Quigley (T), Jewell (T), Strong (T), Barrett (T)

SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2010

Ealing  8  Rosslyn Park  9
In a dramatic end to a full-blooded battle in the Ealing mud, Ben Ward’s attempt to convert Phil Chesters’ last gasp try for Ealing passed outside the far post and Rosslyn Park’s players leapt for joy. They could claim a victory that they deserved for their efforts over the whole 80 minutes. But their last ditch attempt to hand the match to their opponents, after a supremely disciplined 80 minutes, certainly raised the blood pressure among their army of travelling supporters.

The match nearly didn’t take place at all. After the pitch had passed a 9:00AM inspection there was an hour’s heavy rain, leaving it up to the captains whether or not to go ahead. Park were keen to play, Ealing less so. The referee sensibly suggested that, as he had reffed both sides in pretty desperate conditions in the past, the match should go ahead but that he would stop it if he felt conditions were getting dangerous. Underfoot conditions were indeed pretty awful, but players of a previous generation – where slopping through a mud bath was an essential part of the game – would have scoffed that there should have been any doubt.

Park underlined their wish to play, taking the match by the scruff of the neck from kick off and being rewarded with a third minute penalty, stroked over by Ross Laidlaw for 3-0. When both defences were not engaged in playing aerial ping pong at each other, Park were having slightly more possession and territory in what was essentially a midfield war of attrition. However, Ealing showed how dangerous they could be when awarded a penalty 10 metres into the Park half and Ward made the equaliser look easy.

The visitors were beginning to play some – in the conditions – good rugby, putting together some good attacks, notably when a run from full-back Richard Davies nearly went over. Ealing’s defence was top notch but they were forced to concede a penalty in the 23rd minute which allowed Laidlaw to increase the lead to 6-3.

Ealing had their best attack up the right wing,but the defence was equal to it. Park mounted a great attack through the middle but knocked on. A super kick from Laidlaw put Park firmly back in the 22, but Ealing countered, forcing the Park defence to play some smart rugby behind their own posts. Ealing then had their only period of real concerted pressure, driving at the visitors just before the interval, and Nick Huggett rashly allowed himself to be provoked into throwing a punch and was yellow carded. Park held out until the interval.

Starting the second half a man short, Park really took the game to Ealing. A good run from James Strong saw him stopped just short of the line. The visitors applied solid pressure through several surges but Ealing’s last ditch defence was superb. No sooner had they weathered that attack than Ollie Lyndsey-Hague nearly got over, and another siege was set up. Park could not get over, but they had dominated play and conceded nothing for the entire period of the sin bin.

Park continued to have a slight edge, but mistakes were inevitable in the conditions and they could not quite piece together a move to pierce the home defence. As the match entered its last quarter Ealing perceptibly came more into the match, though not enough to trouble a strong visiting defence. It was still a combination of midfield slog and long kicks, but the home side now possibly had more possession. However, it was they who made the crucial error when Park followed-up and Ealing were penalised for “crossing” on their 22 in front of the posts after 37 minutes. Laidlaw snapped up the 3 points  for 9-3.

Ealing tried desperately to salvage something, but the visiting defence were more than equal to it, and Richard Davies put in a tremendous clearance kick almost to the home line. When Park then won possession for the last play of the match all they had to do was to stick it up their proverbial jumpers to claim a deserved and hard-earned victory. But in one of those moments of sheer madness that drives Coaches insane they chose to make the ball available. Unfortunately the player it became available to was the League’s top try-scorer, Ealing winger Phil Chesters, who hacked and dribbled the ball to the Park line and triumphantly dived on it.

Had the kick gone over it would have been daylight robbery, except that it is pretty well impossible in law to mug yourself!
Park: Davies (O’Driscoll, blood); Strong, Sweeney, Jewell, Lyndsey-Hague; Laidlaw; Chilten (Barr); Huggett, Tauialo, Collier; Pape, Quigley; Gates (Daw, safety), Barrett (M Jones), Lock.
Sub (Did not play): A Jones.
Park scorer: Laidlaw (3P)

SATURDAY 20th FEBRUARY 2010

Rosslyn Park 24  Dings Crusaders 17

For the second time this season Dings Crusaders effectively stopped Park from playing. Although Park enjoyed a clear territorial advantage, in terms of possession the Bristol side at least held their own and were extremely effective at harrying and frustrating anything the home side tried to put together.

It didn’t start like that. Park had nearly all the early play and had Dings well on the back foot. Two early penalties stroked over by Ross Laidlaw gave the home side a 6-0 cushion from which to set about scoring the tries they needed to enhance their promotion challenge.

That all changed in the 22nd minute when Dings fashioned a super break up the left, only a last ditch tackle by Jon Underwood preventing the score. Having reached the Park try-line, Dings were in no mood to take a backward step and their pack – revelling in the muddy conditions – launched drive after drive at the home defence. Park defended magnificently for almost five minutes without a break but eventually the pressure told and Dings were able to whip the ball to their right where centre Sam Caven went over for a hard-earned score.

The conversion was missed, but the visitors visibly grew in confidence. The match was still being played predominantly in their territory but they were now denying Park the sort of quality ball they needed for the running and passing game that has been the hallmark of their success. A penalty just inside Dings’ half saw Laidlaw stretch the lead to 9-5 after 28 minutes, and the best move thus far saw Park gain a penalty in front of the posts nine minutes later. The fly half gratefully accepted another 3 points.

When Dings came back at Park it was Laidlaw who got a highly effective boot on the ball to peg the visitors back in their own 22. However, the chance to get one of the four tries they needed for a bonus point was lost when Park knocked on and it was 12-5 at the interval.

Park started the second half with great determination, but Dings raised the art of sheer obduracy to a tactical ploy and the frustration of the home side began to show in the concession of a couple of cheap penalties. However, after 16 minutes they broke the deadlock, following a penalty that was hoofed to the corner by Laidlaw. The pack lay siege to the Dings line, sucking in defender after defender and then spread it wide where winger James Strong bulldozed through at pace to score. The angle defeated even Laidlaw’s attempted conversion but it was now 17-5.

Dings were in no mood to surrender, continued to work hard and their efforts were rewarded fifteen minutes later when a good move sent centre Tim Bagg through under the posts, Tom Lukjaniec adding a conversion for 17-12 putting the visitors back within a score.

Park were stung into action and replied with a superb individual try by Marc Sweeney, receiving the ball just outside the 22 he ran straight as a die using all his speed and strength to get over. Laidlaw added a very difficult conversion for 24-12.

There was no realistic prospect of Park scoring two more. Dings were tiring, but still giving everything and when – with the very last move of the match – they were awarded a penalty, took a quick tap and plunged over to score, it would be a hard heart indeed that begrudged them the bonus point.

In terms of pure entertainment this was a poor match. In the context of Park’s promotion aspirations it looks like a point lost, but that is surely to under-rate how difficult it is to break down a team like Dings playing in their ideal conditions; the obsession with bonus points should not disguise the fact that Park won a match that could easily have been a banana skin.

Park: Davies; Strong, Sweeney, Jewell (O’Driscoll), Lindsey-Hague; Laidlaw; Barr (Chilten); Huggett (Lahiff), Ritchie, Collier; Quigley (Jones), Pape; Gates, Underwood, Lock.

Sub (did not play): Tauialo

Park scorers: Strong (T), Sweeney (T), Laidlaw (4P, C)

SATURDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2010

Westcombe Park  3  Rosslyn Park 75

Rosslyn Park recorded their largest ever away League win on Saturday. Thetrip to Kent did not start auspiciously: already without regular half-back pairing Barr and Laidlaw, when replacement Dylan Pugh – also the only recognised kicker – had to cry off with a severe stomach upset, emergency measures were needed. Full-back Richard Davies moved to stand-off and Anthony Fenner came in at full-back and took over kicking duties. With Ollie Lyndsey-Hague unavailable, centre Marc Sweeney played on the wing.

Things immediately improved once the game started. The pack served notice of intent with a massive maul to the line. They went over but the referee was unsighted; they then pushed the scrum back over the line but the home defence somehow prevented the score. Such was the panic engendered that a home defender actually stood behind the dead ball line to receive a pass, thus conceding another 5 metre scrum. Park went over again, but again the referee had no clear sight until eventually, after more than 5 minutes solid pressure, Mark Lock forced his way over close to the posts with Anthony Fenner adding the conversion.

Almost straight from kick off Park conceded a penalty, stroked over by fly half Lee Audis for 7-3. But Park were straight back at them. A panic attempt to clear was charged down by skipper Rob Jewell who easily won the race to the ball to score, Fenner’s kick making it 14 – 3 after 11 minutes.

The Park pack were magnificent, overwhelming their opponents in every aspect and creating the sort of space that backs usually only dream of. A great run out of defence by Paul Unseld came to nothing, then Billy O’Driscoll made light of the quagmire of a pitch with an incisive run through the middle. A fine passing move went through the home defence and O’Driscoll claimed the try, Fenner stretching it to 21-3 after 20 minutes.

A super run up the wing and kick on by Jewell failed to bear fruit, and there were signs of stirring from the home side, who showed great character in overwhelming defeat. Park simply ratcheted things up a gear. They forced a scrum close to the home 22 from which the ball was shipped to Unseld who ran a great angle to secure the 4-try bonus after only 35 minutes.

Westcombe made a rare foray upfield but it came to nothing, before a super pass from scrum half Allen Chilten set up a move for Jewell to cross the line at top speed, converted by Fenner for 33-3 as the first half went into injury time. However, Park were not yet done: the home side, desperately trying to get a foothold in the match, lost control of the ball and Marc Sweeney swooped to pick it up and sprint away to score for 38-3 at the interval.

It should be reported that spectators around the outside of the pitch had their shoes caked with mud: the conditions on the pitch itself were pretty bad. In these circumstances the rugby to which Rosslyn Park were treating the crowd was absolutely superb.

Skipper Rob Jewell withdrew at the interval having taken a knock, so Sweeney reverted to centre and Nick Canty came on the wing. From the restart, great interplay between Chilten and Lock saw the latter go over in the corner for 43 – 3.

Park were now playing sparkling stuff, Canty nearly scoring down the right with his first touch. Tired ‘Coombe were leaking penalties, which were either quickly tapped or belted to the corner. Jon Underwood announced his arrival by going over, but his effort was ruled ‘held up’. Park took the scrummage and Adam Gates went over with the same result, but from the reset scrum the ball was picked up by Underwood who this time clearly grounded the ball. Fenner added an excellent conversion to bring up the 50.

Another super run by Canty saw Adam Jones mark his arrival with some clever handling but Park were ruled to have rolled over the ball. The home side, utterly overwhelmed, were caught offside and a quick tap saw the visitors probe for openings, then a long pass was flung left for Unseld to scoot in for 55-3.

A further penalty was hoofed to the corner and the pack drove over for Chris Ritchie to claim a try. Game ‘Coombe almost scored with a rare break but the winger could not gather a low pass and back came Park. Nick Huggett was prominent in shipping the ball to the other end, where another strategic foul saw the referee reach for yellow and hapless ‘Coombe were reduced to 14 men. Park drove over and again it was Ritchie who touched down. A flying run up the left by Unseld saw the lead increased to 55-3.

To their everlasting credit credit, ‘Coombe strove mightily to restore some pride and gave everything to ship the ball close to the visitors’ line but when the Rugby Gods are against you they show no mercy. ‘Coombe momentarily lost control and Unseld swooped on the ball close to his own line and just lit the after-burners. The ‘Coombe winger – no slouch himself – had a start on the Park man but could not so much as lay a hand on him. It wasn’t quite Usain Bolt, but then again the great Jamaican doesn’t have to do it over a quagmire, wearing muddy rugby boots and carrying an oval ball. A fitting end for Park to a superb display and a 75-3 victory.

Rosslyn Park: Fenner (Simmons); Sweeney, O’Driscoll, Jewell (Canty), Unseld; Davies; Chilten; Collier (DAW), Ritchie, Huggett; Pape, Quigley (Jones); Gates, Barrett, Lock (Underwood).

Park scorers: Unseld (4T), Lock (2T), Jewell (2T), Ritchie (2T), O’Driscoll (T), Sweeney (T), Underwood (T), Fenner (5C).

SATURDAY 30TH JANUARY 2010

Rosslyn Park  11  Barking  10

Park deserved their win on the strength of dominating the second half of the match, but they had to first endure the trauma of Barking fly half Craig Ratford missing a last second penalty that would have stolen the spoils for his side. As often happens when two good sides meet, neither was able to get on top enough to display their full range of skills, but anything the match lacked in spectacle for the uncommitted it more than made up for in pulsating drama for both sets of supporters.

Barking were first out of the blocks, forcing Park to counter them rather than taking the initiative. They gained a 6th minute penalty, which Ratford hooked wide, but were soon back with a super try by scrum half Jack Gash, supporting on the outside. Ratford nailed a conversion far more difficult than the penalty he had missed two minutes earlier.

Park hardly needed spurring to action, but they responded with a great move up the right, prop Nick Huggett prominent, but the visiting defence were superb. However, eventually the knocked on to give Park an attacking scrum in a dangerous position, from which they worked the ball to Ollie Lyndsey-Hague who squeezed between two defenders for a cracking try after 13 minutes. Ross Laidlaw’s conversion attempt hit the post.

Park were possibly just shading the play, but defences were well on top. Born of frustration, a scuffle broke out which led to the sin binning of Huggett and Barking lock Stuart Riding: it looked a relatively minor incident and the two players had shaken hands before leaving the field and it was perhaps a slight over-reaction to brandish the yellow card. Park were awarded the resulting penalty and Laidlaw nailed a super kick from out wide to put his side 8-7 ahead.

Park had to withdraw flanker Jonny Barrett to bring on replacement prop Brett Williams for the next scrummage, which resulted in a penalty to Barking, but Ratford’s kick fell short. (In fairness, it should be reported that whilst overall the referee had a good game he persistently failed to ensure that the scrum was properly bound and then penalised the wrong player as a result).

On the half hour Park forced a penalty on half way which Laidlaw narrowly missed, but he made amends four minutes later with a good kick from 40 metres out. But Barking came back into injury time, kicked a penalty to touch and Park knocked on from the line out. At the scrummage, again a Barking prop was not properly bound but Park were again penalised for bringing it down. Ratford made no mistake with the penalty for 11-10 at the interval, probably an accurate reflection of a very even half.

Park started the second half with a massive maul towards the Barking line, but the defence was equal to it. Further good play sent Lyndsey-Hague on a dangerous run but the ball was lost in contact. It was all “no quarter asked” stuff from both sides, Barking lock Dan Lloyd-Jones seeing yellow for dirsrupting play, but Park had more possession and spent long periods in the Barking half. Laidlaw got clattered by Barking number 8 James Kellard: there is no suggestion whatsoever of anything illegal, but Laidlaw required a long visit from the physio and looked shaken up – this may have had more influence than was realised at the time.

Park attacked again when their own high kick was caught superbly and Barking were forced to concede a penalty 45 metres out but Laidlaw’s kick hadn’t the legs to get over. Three minutes later, still under pressure, Barking conceded another penalty, this time only 25 metres out but Laidlaw – who has made the most difficult kick appear routine all season – unaccountably missed it.

It wasn’t quite all one-way traffic, and Park were forced to concede at the opposite end and Ratford missed a difficult kick.

Park came back with a big attack, which Barking defended magnificently but eventually they were caught offside in front of their own posts. Again the kick was missed. Park continued to press, and another straightforward penalty was awarded but this one hit the post. Instead of being out of sight going into injury time Park were still only a point ahead, when they conceded a penalty just inside their own half. Ratford took it on, but it was beyond his distance.

Barking gamely battled deep into injury time to try to save the match and when Park conceded a penalty close to their own 22, which would be the last kick of the match, a silence gripped the ground. Ratford’s kick was always going wide, but it was difficult to say which was loudest: the cheer for Park’s victory, or the collective sigh of relief.

Park: Davies; Lindsey-Hague, Sweeney, Jewell, Swords; Laidlaw (Pugh); Barr: Huggett (Williams, safety), Ritchie (Jones, blood), Collier (Williams); Pape, Slade; Gates (Jones), Barrett (Underwood), Lock.

Sub not used: O’Driscoll

Park scorers: Lyndsey-Hague (T), Laidlaw (P, C).

SATURDAY 23rd JANUARY 2010

Lyndey 23  Rosslyn Park 29

From the kick off Park were all over Lydney like a rash. They soon had the ball within 5 metres of the home line but knocked on when trying to spread it. Ollie Lyndsey-Hague made a great run at the heart of the home defence but, again, a handling error stopped the move. Trapped in their own half  Lydney conceded a kickable penalty but, sensing blood, Ross Laidlaw booted to touch.

From the resulting throw a massive punch up ensued. It was not clear what started it, but the referee’s whistle was impotent to stop it. Every potential peacemaker who intervened seemed only to get embroiled himself. Just as it looked as if things had finally settled down, home lock James Bashford appeared to deliver a sickening head butt on Park skipper Rob Jewell, spotted by the touch judge. After long deliberation by the three match officials, both skippers were spoken to and Bashford received a red card, leaving his side to play the rest of the match with 14 men.

Laidlaw  converted the resultant penalty, but the dynamic of the match seemed to change. Park, who had begun with such urgency, appeared to regard patience as a virtue and Lydney became fired-up but appeared to value ball retention above actually doing something with it. It became a less than compelling spectacle.

There was soon a further punch-up, but on a smaller scale, as a result of which Park’s Jonny Barrett was obliged to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin. The deadlock was broken after 18 minutes when full-back Richard Davies, supporting a move, received the ball and outpaced the defence to score in the left corner for 8-0. Laidlaw’s conversion attempt bisected the posts, but below the crossbar.

Park had a clear edge at this stage in terms of pace and skill but could not finish their moves, Lydney tackling and spoiling for all they were worth. The first time Lydney got into the Park half they caught the visitors offside and fly half Tony Wicks reduced the arrears to 8-3. However, within two minutes Laidlaw had a similar penalty and restored the lead.

On the half hour, Park conceded another penalty and the reliable boot of Wicks made it 11-6. Almost immediately, Park full back Davies received a good pass from Graham Barr and enlivened proceedings by selling a glorious dummy, bought wholesale by the entire Lydney defence, to scamper through and score unchallenged for 16-6. A further Park attack saw Lydney forced to touch down behind their own line, but they could not press home their advantage.

The second half started with a massive, strength-sapping maul into the home 22. An attacking scrum followed but when the ball was spread Lydney scrambled it to safety. However Park would not be denied, won back possession and rolled over the line, Chris Ritchie claiming the score for 21-6.

Straight from kick off the match took a dramatic turn. Lydney attacked more in hope than conviction, but a clearance kick was charged down by home centre Dougie Freeman, who followed up to score and Wicks added a conversion for 21-13. Roared on by a partisan crowd, Lydney started to believe.

Park could, and should, have put them back in their box when a drive to the home line resulted in a penalty on 5 metres. Park opted to scrummage and forced another penalty. They reset the scrum with the same result. Resetting it again, a try or penalty try seemed inevitable but Park contrived to concede a free kick.

Lydney sensed that Park were rattled, pressed and gained a penalty, converted by Wicks for 21-16.  Park had another attack, were thwarted and conceded a penalty, and then 10 metres for indiscipline. Lydney kicked for the corner, won the line-out and a fine angled run from replacement Mark Davies leveled the scores. Wicks’ conversion put the home side ahead for the first time.

It would have been easy for Park to panic as Lydney pushed forward. But Park kept their heads, defended well and then hit them with a devastating counter-attack through an astonishing piece of work from Ollie Lyndsey-Hague as the young winger jinked past defender after defender from his own 22 to well inside Lydney’s. With only a single defender left to beat, he selflessly off-loaded and replacement Adam Gates touched down for the bonus point, restoring Park’s lead at 26-23.

After that, the result was never in serious doubt. Lyndsey-Hague followed up his own grubber kick and was blatantly obstructed. The penalty was kicked to the corner, but Lydney scrambled clear from the lineout. Back came Park and gained a penalty in front of the posts for Laidlaw to make it 29-23. As time ran out, Park had another kickable penalty but Laidlaw took no chances and hoofed it out of the ground to bring the final whistle.

It was not a vintage Park performance by any means, but if we’re going to start quibbling about returning from Regentsholme with a bonus-point win then they really must be getting somewhere!

Park: Davies; Lyndsey-Hague, Sweeney (O’Driscoll), Jewell, Unseld; Laidlaw; Barr; Huggett (Lahiff), Ritchie, Collier; Quigley (Pape), Slade; M Jones (Gates), Barrett, Lock.

Sub not used: Pugh

Park scorers: Davies (2T), Ritchie (T), Gates (T), Laidlaw (3C)

———————————————————————————–

SATURDAY 16th JANUARY 2010

Rosslyn Park 50 Richmond 8

The mere fact that this match went ahead is in no small measure due to the small band of volunteers who turned up on Thursday afternoon to clear the snow off the pitch. On my drive up to the ground on Saturday in heavy rain, my thoughts went back to the Shelford game earlier in the season when running rugby just wasn’t possible, but in this match both sides belied the conditions and for the most part, ball retention was excellent.

Park were on the scoreboard in the 7th minute, as a result of Chris Ritchie hanging onto a very difficult pass and the ball was shipped out for Marc Sweeney to go over with Laidlaw converting.

In the 10th minute Park were in for their second try, a break down the right hand side and Laidlaw and Lock combined to put James Strong in under the posts.

Richmond’s first attack saw them put three points on the board after Park were penalised for not staying on their feet at a ruck, but Laidlaw made it 17-3 in the 20th minute as the Richmond pack came under ever increasing pressure.

In the 31st minute Park scored an absolutely cracking try. Laidlaw broke and Jewell gave a peach of an inside pass to full back Richard Davies who jinked past two players and went in under the sticks, and shortly before the break Park won another penalty and from Laidlaw’s kick to the 5 metre line, Richmond’s pack could not stop the surge and Chris Ritchie was driven over, Laidlaw’s 4th conversion making it 31-3.

Intense pressure from Richmond in the Park 22 might have led to a try just before the break, but the final pass whistled away into touch.

It might have been all smiles from Park supporters at half time, but it is wise to remember that at that stage Park only had one point in the bag, the other four were still to be won and the visitors did not help themselves at all, when in the 48th minute second row Henry Head was yellow carded for hands in the ruck, Park scrummed the penalty and quick ball saw Graham Barr feed Captain Rob Jewell for try no 5.

Stung by this reverse and still a man down, credit must go to the visitors who inched their way to the Park line and flanker Jonathan Farmer dived over for a hard earned try making it 38-8, but they were soon a man short again after no 8 Thomas George incurred the wrath of the referee.

10 minutes from the end Jewell threw out a long pass for replacement Paul Unseld to go over, and in a frantic finale when it seemed that everything Park tried came to naught, at the death Park broke down the right and brilliant interplay saw Strong go over for his second try, Laidlaw’s 6th conversion made it the half century for Park and a job well done.

Park

Davies, Strong, Sweeney/O’Driscoll, Jewell(Capt) Lindsay-Hague/Unseld, Laidlaw, Barr, Huggett, Ritchie/Lahiff, Collier/Williams, Quigley/Jones, Slade, Gates, Barrett, Lock,.

Park Scorers

Strong 2T, Sweeney T Davies T Ritchie T Jewell T Unseld T Laidlaw P,6C

——————————————————————————————————

SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY 2010

Rosslyn Park 51 Barnes 9

By Bernard Wiggins

This local derby had been in doubt until 90 mins before the kick off, but the overnight frost that had threatened the match dissipated allowing play to commence at 2pm.

Park started off well with a good drive by the pack and quickly recycled ball led to full back Richard Davies going in at the corner in the 7th minute.

Another strong surge to the line came to nought but on the quarter hour, Ross Laidlaw added a penalty to the unconverted try when Barnes were penalised for holding on in the tackle.

Barnes first half-chance came in the 19th minute when a relieving kick was charged down, Park’s defence managed to kick the ball dead and shortly before the half hour, Dylan Pugh added another penalty whilst blood subbing for Laidlaw who had left the field with a cut to the head.

Stung by this reverse, the visitors came more into the game but made little of their territorial possession until two Warren Gower penalties (37and 40 mins) put Barnes back in it at 11-6 at the break.

A lovely inside pass by Laidlaw put Will Collier under the posts 2 minutes after the restart, but after converting the try Laidlaw’s ambitious crossfield kick failed to find its target and a clear chance slipped away.

Gower made it 18-9 but was then almost immediately sin binned after the intervention of the touch judge and this proved costly as Park drove to the line. A Barnes put-in at the scrum became a free kick to Park, then a penalty, and from the lineout Olly Lindsay -Hague jinked his way past three players for an excellent try.

Yet another penalty led to Mark Lock being driven over for Park’s bonus point try and Laidlaw’s conversions made it 30-9,with Park looking ever more dominant as Barnes tired, a series of infringements led to the visitors scrum half Ross Blake getting a yellow card, from whence the Park forwards drove Nick Huggett over the line.

Playing catch up rugby, Barnes dropped the ball in midfield and replacement wing Paul Unseld kicked on, neatly dribbling the ball over the line and diving on it for the score, only for the visitors to repeat the error at the death, Laidlaw racing away to score and add his third conversion in 8 minutes.

Park

Davies, Strong, Sweeney, Jewell (Capt) Lindsay Hague/Unseld (64m), Laidlaw, Barr, Huggett/Daw(72m), Ritchie, Collier/Williams (65m), Quigley/Morgan-Jones( 40m), Thomas, Gates, Barratt, Lock

Pugh/ Blood sub for Laidlaw

Scorers

Davies T Collier T Lindsay Hague T Lock T Huggett T Unseld T Pugh P Laidlaw T, P, 5C

MATCH PHOTOS BY DAVID WHITTAM