Battling for National one survival, Blaydon dominated everything for the first hour against a below-par effort from injury-hit Park.

Flanker Jack Davidson opened Blaydon’s account in the fifth minute, fly half Brett Connon converting for 7-0.

Park looked good when they were going forward but invariably an error or a penalty conceded would stop them in their tracks. Two of the penalties against them became crucial when kicks were aimed to touch to provide tries from subsequent drives for hooker Matt Thompson and Davidson, his second, in the 18th and 26th minutes.

Connon converted both, and the 21-0 half-time scoreline could have been worse had he not muffed an easier penalty.

Park’s nightmare continued in the second half. In the first minute a neat run out of defence by Mark Kohler was spoilt when an attempted chip and chase was caught on the rise by a defender and swiftly passed to the left where winger Fraser Wilson avoided a poor attempt at a tackle to coast over, Connon again converting for 28-0. Less than five minutes later Thompson grabbed his second try for 33-0.

When Blaydon lock Andrew Archibald added his name to the try scorers’ tally on 56 minutes, converted by Connon for 40-0, it looked as if a fifty-point-plus thrashing was on the cards for the visitors.

Blaydon clearly felt they had done enough and appeared to conserve their energy for their final match in the relegation battle next Saturday. For the final quarter they emptied the substitutes’ bench and Park promptly took over.

Dave Vincent, coming back from a long spell out injured, put Park on the board with a try on 61 minutes, converted by Leonard for 40-7.

Full-back Henry Robinson followed up on 74 minutes for 40-12 and in a grandstand finish Vincent grabbed his second try, converted by Leonard, followed by flanker Josh Ovens on the stroke of time for a final score of 40-24.

Try time for Rosslyn Park

But it was too little too late, and a distinctly poor day at the office for Park.

Park Attack and Defence Coach, Scott Sneddon, said,“ After the Hull performance we asked the boys to restore some pride in the jersey after a poor performance but unfortunately we were carrying some passengers again in the first half against Blaydon.

“We knew Blaydon had a strong set piece and they took full advantage of our poor discipline and lack of accuracy”.

He added, “It’s a difficult time of the season being mid table and not being able to climb the league, however, the last two performances fall well below what is expected whilst wearing a Rosslyn Park jersey.

“The boys had an honest chat at half time and we played some great rugby to get 4 tries in the second half.

“We have to give credit to Blaydon, but to be 40 points down in that jersey is not good acceptable”.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s final League match at home to third placed Ampthill (KO 15:00), he said: “Next week is going to be another big game, Ampthill have a very strong set piece and have some threatening runners in the backs.

“Whilst league position is irrelevant, attitude and mindset this week will determine selection. We need to have players on the pitch who aren't already 'on holiday' and show our faithful fans what it means to play in an Rosslyn Park shirt.

“If the players bring that attitude on Saturday then we will sign off the season we'll and try to put the last two performances behind us”.

Park: Robinson; Kohler, Henderson, Reay, Vincent; Leonard; Gash; Nwakor, Piper, Maguire; Spivey, Inglis; Frampton, Ovens, Milne.
Bench: Hughes, Wade, Hudson, Crow, Barnes

Park scorers: Vincent (2T), Robinson (T), Ovens (T), Leonard (2C).

Charlie Addiman

Images: David E Whittam

April 24, 2017