Rosslyn Park 38 Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 16

Despite the many changes to their line-up from last week, Stortford started well, dominating possession and territory for the first five minutes, only for their defence to be cut to pieces by some clever interplay by the Park backs, with their left wing taking a perfectly-timed inside pass from the 10 to slice through Stortford’s first line of defence and giving a well-weighted pass to their 13 to canter in for a converted try. The visitors battled back, though, forcing two kickable penalties after 9 and 11 minutes, both of which Austin Pope converted to narrow the gap to 1 point. Unfortunately, another effort from long range 4 minutes later fell short and, with 19 minutes gone, Rosslyn Park widened their lead to 4 points, after another piece of cleverly-worked rugby in their midfield had put their left winger clear only for him to be hauled down a few metres short of the line - further good Stortford defence limited the damage to 3 points. With some 30 minutes gone, it was Stortford’s turn to show their handling skills and, although lacking the home side’s incisiveness, they managed to stretch the opposition defence left then right and, but for a knock on some 15 metres out, would surely have registered their own try. As it was, the chance went begging and, with both Will Roberts and Harrison King absent due to earlier injuries, the scrum came under increasing pressure and the lineouts faltered, allowing Rosslyn Park steadily to take control. It took a piece of individual brilliance from the home side’s outstanding No 7, though to make the breakthrough, when he burst from the base of a ruck and chipped ahead to take his side to the Stortford try line. The visitors couldn’t cope with a powerful shove at the resultant 5 metre scrum and a penalty try was awarded. As time was running out in the half, salt was poured into the wound, when another Stortford lineout error gave up possession well inside Stortford’s half and the home side exploited the chance ruthlessly, finding a gap in the defensive line close to a breakdown after three phases of quickly-moved possession. The try went to the inside centre and the easy conversion took the half-time lead to a flattering 18 points.

This gap was quickly stretched to 25 points, when a poor Stortford clearance kick after the restart gave the home side a lineout inside the opposition 22 and, despite some determined tackling, two penalties were forced and a further lineout from the second quickly brought a forward try out wide, which was extremely well converted. With quarter of an hour gone, Stortford won a rare breakdown penalty and quick handling right and then switched left, gave Nick Hankin room out wide to sprint in the corner for an unconverted try. The game was more even now, but it was still Rosslyn park that registered the next try, taking advantage of some loose defence of a chip kick to the Stortford line, to pounce, as the ball squirted over the line from the side of a ruck . The conversion was duly made, but the visitors quickly countered, gaining a foothold in the opposition 22 thanks to a powerful Chris Smith run. Unfortunately, they were unable to finish the move as decisively as Park had repeatedly done and had to resort to more attritional rugby. The game now became a bit fractious, with a violent high tackle by a home forward not helping lower temperatures, as the culprit was fortunate to get away with only a yellow card. Eventually, with time running out, Stortford took advantage of the extra man and, aided by a couple of well-cut lines, were rewarded with a try to James Apperley, the final whistle going immediately after the failed conversion attempt.

Stortford Side: Hankin, Ayrton M, Cappaert, Keen (Capt), Smith, Pope, Spivey; Roberts, King, McCrone, Lewis, Palombo, Apperley, Ball, Kingham.
Replacements: Dan, Brownhill, Banks, Elsom, Ayrton J.