Twenty four unanswered second-half points ensured the Park came away with spoils in North Yorkshire, overcoming a 15-3 half-time deficit to record a second win on the bounce under caretaker boss Andy Holloway.

In atrocious conditions at Threshfields, the visitors started the better, with returning player-coach Scott Sneddon directing operations as Park battled heavy rain and a home outfit battled for their National One lives.

Park had their moments in the opening 40 minutes, Adam Field looking lively on the wing, but it was the ‘Green Machine’ who delivered to hammer blows in quick succession just before the break.

With the score tied at three-apiece – Sneddon and Jamie Guy trading early penalties – the home pack clicked. From almost identical positions, some 20 metres out, the ‘Dale pack marched Park backwards at a rate of knots to register two scores through flanker Chris Howick.

With both the wind and distinct slope in their favour, the men from south London knew they were still very much in the game at the break, despite the late set-back in the half. And so it proved. Park, to little surprise, picked up on the home tactics but in the chief tactician Sneddon, had the man to play the conditions in outstanding fashion.

Having nudged over a penalty to cut the arrears early after the resumption of play, his kick into the corner from a penalty resulted in a penalty try after referee Jamie Leahy’s repeated calls to the home eight were ignored while defending the driving maul.

Sneddon added a superb second on the hour mark after following up his own grubber and Hugo Ellis completed the job, rumbling over from another maul in the same corner as the previous four tries to see Park home, in the end, comfortably.

For all their endeavour and willing, Jon Feeley’s side were ultimately outwitted by Sneddon but with near relegation rivals Hull Ionians, Blaydon, Loughborough Students and Henley all also losing, will remain confident that they will be able to extend their almost 20 year stay in the division.

Park will enjoy a week off this coming week, at National League teams take a deserved rest weekend, before resuming league action on Friday March 4, under the floodlights at the Rock. Local rivals Esher provide the opposition as boss Holloway will look to further his case for the top job on a more permanent basis.

Kick off in that one is at 7.45pm and, as ever, live commentary will be available on the club’s official twitter feed, @rosslynpark.

Mo Sher (@MSSher1)
February 23, 2016