On a blustery Saturday afternoon Rosslyn Park ran out 31-15 winners at home to Fylde RFC. The visitors started the day bottom of the pile in national one whilst Rosslyn Park aimed to continue a good run of form that has seen them undefeated this calendar year.


Benji Marfo scores for Park

Park got off to a strong start with winger Benji Marfo dotting down for the games first score after 9 minutes, with a quick tap penalty from Jack Gash put him into space before beating one man into the corner.

The second score of the game soon followed as Arthur Ellis managed to push his way over the line on his home debut for the club. The conversion from Harry Leonard was successful to make it 12-0 after twenty minutes. Moments later though, Fylde got off the mark with a try from Harlan Corrie who was the most alert player when an over-thrown lineout bobbled around on the turf.

Just before half time Park grabbed their third try of the game as Henry Spencer got onto the back of a driving maul from five meters out to make the score 17-7 at the break. Five minutes into the second half Fylde made it a one score game with a penalty in front of the sticks from Greg Smith bringing the score to 17-10

With just over twenty minutes on the clock the home side secured their try bonus point as Oli Grove busted his way through Fylde’s defence from close range. Park then brought on England under 20’s player and former Fylde man Rory Brand and ex-Bristol and Harlequins winger Charlie Amesbury.

A fantastic chip through from Andrew Henderson was gathered by full back Robinson who won a penalty, which Park elected to kick into the corner. The resulting lineout was driven over the line and Owen Hughes managed to touch the ball down to bring the score to 31-10 to the hosts.

Owen Hughes scores Park’s 5th Try

Replacement prop Stuart Maguire was then yellow carded for a high tackle with ten minutes on the clock.

Visitors Fylde got the last score of the game through Tom Carleton, much to the delight of their fantastic travelling support.

The win for Rosslyn Park gave them a 3 wins from 3 record for 2018 something they will be aiming to keep up in two weeks at home to Cambridge RFC.

Rosslyn Park head coach Kieran Power said after the match “It was good to get 5 points again but still plenty to work on. We have a big couple of weeks coming up now and it’s good to carry on our momentum into these next 2 matches”

Rosslyn Park:
15. Henry Robinson 14. Rhys Crane 13. Andrew Henderson 12. Harry Leonard 11. Benji Marfo 10. Oli Grove 9. Jack Gash 8. Hugo Ellis 7. Arthur Ellis 6. Jack Barnard 5. Paul Spivey 4. Henry Spencer 3. Nick Lovell 2. Karl Gibson 1. Maurice Nwakor
Replacements – Owen Hughes, Stuart Maguire, Matt Macphearson, Rory Brand, Charlie Amesbury

Fylde RFC:
15. Alex Dolly 14. Henry Hadfield 13. Connor Wilkinson 12. Luke Fowden 11. Tom Carleton 10. Greg Smith 9. Greg Nicholls 8. David Fairbrother 7. Will Hopwood 6. Ben Vernon 5. Oli Parkinson 4. Harlan Corrie 3. Adam Lewis 2. Tom Burtonwood 1. Mark Irving
Replacements – Dan Richardson, Ben Gregory, Nick Ashcroft, Adam McCarthy, Jake Foster

Dom Shabbo

Images: David E Whittam

January 22, 2018