Park eventually saw off a tough challenge from Welsh Premiership side Newport in a match played over three 30 minute periods, in which Park fielded three different teams containing several new signings. Newport brought a squad of 24.

Park had nearly all the play in the first nine minutes, driving the visitors backwards, but such was the commitment to attack that they looked distinctly vulnerable to the counter. The first Newport attack was stopped at the cost of a penalty, the visitors opted to take a scrum, worked the ball wide and scored in the corner, nailing an excellent conversion for 7-0 on ten minutes.


Try time for Park

That proved to be the story of the first period as Newport’s sharp counter-attacks caught out Park’s defence in both corners to extend the lead to 19-0 before Park responded through a try from hooker Owen Hughes, converted by Ollie Grove for 7-19 at the first interval.

Park: Robinson; Hayhow, Richards, Barnes, Edwards; Grove; Williams; Nwakor, Hughes, Lovell; Walton, Gillanders; Spencer, Barnard H Ellis

Park soon reduced the deficit in the second period after a big drive saw lock Adam Frampton, a former Newport skipper, score against his old club. Greg Lund kicked a difficult conversion for 19-21.

The home side took the lead for the first time when lock Jamie Gray forced his way over in the corner, Lund hitting a peach of a conversion for 21-19.

But Newport – who racked up 103 points the previous weekend – were far from done for and snatched back the lead with a try in the right-hand corner, converted for 21-26 to bring the end of the second period.

Park: Edwards; Fadahunsi, Grove, Morgan, Marfo; Lund; Gash; Wade, Gibson, Morris; Frampton, Gray; Seccombe, A Ellis, Laventure

The final period saw back row Arthur Ellis score for Park to equalize at 26-26, Lund’s excellent conversion attempt hitting the post. Just as it looked as if the match would end in a draw hooker Adam Bellamy got over the line, converted by Lund for 33-26.

Park: Robinson, Sema / Burne, Hayhow, Leonard, Nieto; Grove; Booth; Wade / Nwakor, Bellamy, Gratton; Spencer, Gray; Barnard, A Ellis, H Ellis.

This Saturday Park play Leicester Lions in another pre-season match, kicking off at 3:00PM. Admission is free.



Charlie Addiman

Images: David Whittam

August 13, 2018