A superb defensive display by Cambridge made Rosslyn Park work really hard for their narrow victory in a match that went right down to the wire.

Park did most of the attacking in the first half, but the visitors always looked dangerous on the counter. However they rarely reached the Park 22 and it looked as if the first half would end in stalemate – with the emphasis very much on ‘stale’. Park looked good ball in hand but too often kicked away possession.

The home side had the first real chance on 34 minutes with a penalty at the extreme end of fly half Harry Leonard’s range two metres into the Cambridge half. A good effort hit the padding of the post.

Park continued to attack but the complexion of the game changed when Park lock Henry Spencer was adjudged to have made a high tackle and sent to the bin.

Cambridge saw an opportunity and a rare incursion into the Park 22 was dealt with, but number 8 Hugo Ellis’ clearance kick found visiting fly half Ben Penfold. He sent winger Albert Portsmouth away to run wide on the right and then cut in past Park’s short-handed defence for a good try. Penfold converted for 7-0 on 35 minutes.

Park returned to the attack and on the stroke of half time were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts for Leonard to bring the score to 7-3 at the interval.

Cambridge started the second period determined to exploit their temporary one man advantage. But gradually Park wrested back a degree of control.

Defence key in low-scoring encounter

A score looked all but inevitable, but it took until the sixty-first minute. Leonard chipped a penalty to the corner to set up the catch and drive. The Park pack set up a text book rolling maul which Cambridge simply could not resist and it was lock Adam Frampton who touched down. Leonard converted for 10-7.

With six minutes to go Park were awarded a penalty within range for Oli Grove, who at just that moment had come on for Leonard, but a good attempt grazed the outside of the far post.

There was a final scare for Park when the visitors were awarded a just-about-kickable penalty at the end of the match that would have given them a draw. Instead they kicked to the corner to set up a catch-and-drive to go for the winner. However, it was Park who made the catch and when they cleared to touch it brought the final whistle.

Rosslyn Park Head Coach, Kieran Power, said “It was a hard fought win where we controlled possession and territory in the first half but with little reward.

“In the second half we were pinned back in our half for long periods and defended well, but our energy and attitude were first class and the reason we were able to take our chance in the second half and ultimately win the game”.

Park: Robinson; Crane, Henderson, A Ellis, Amesbury; Leonard; Crow; Nwakor, Vaughan-Edwards, Maguirel; Spencer, Frampton; Ovens, Barnard, H Ellis.

Bench: Hudson, Wade, Barnes, Gash Grove.

Charlie Addiman

Images: David E Whittam

February 5, 2018