Rosslyn Park put in a stunning second half performance against Cambridge to more than compensate for a stumbling one before the interval that saw the visitors leading 19-0, thanks to three tries. An early second half penalty made extended that lead to 22-0.

But, following wholesale changes, Park came storming back with tries from Rory Martin-Smith, Ed Milne, Henry Robinson, Mark Kohler and Will Crow, with both Scott Sneddon and Harry Leonard nailing conversions for a 31-22 lead. A late converted try from Cambridge narrowed the gap to 31-29.

Park Defence Coach, Scott Sneddon, said:
"Credit has to go to Cambridge who came and played as we knew they would. We were very lethargic and slow to react to what they threw at us - and to anything positive we managed to serve up.

“The second half saw a marked improvement that coincided with a number of changes with players really putting their hand up to be involved next week vs Ampthill. The second half will give us confidence but the first half shows that if any team isn't mentally at the races it's not possible to get close to your potential. "

Park: Robinson; Henderson, Morris, Morgan, Aspland-Robinson: Leonard; Gash; Lovell, Gleave, Maguire; Frampton, Bowley; Milne, Martyn-Smith, Spencer.
Subs: McGrath, Bellamy, Boyle, Spivey, Hudson, Harries, Ellis, Crow, Sneddon, Reay, Grove, Inglis, Kohler.

This Saturday Park visit Ampthill, who are on most pundits’ short lists for the one available promotion place this season. They then welcome back Cambridge on 10 September in Park’s first home match of the League campaign.

Charlie Addiman

August 29, 2016