ROSSLYN PARK 61-24 DINGS CRUSADERS

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER

By RHYS STRATTON

The 1st XV shot out of the blocks on Saturday and produced what was probably the most impressive half of rugby we’ve seen this season, scoring 7 times and conceding 0 points across the first 40 minutes of action. PotM Josh Bragman got the scoring started early when he finished off a superb passage of play to cross over in the corner. Joe Luca Smith added a second just minutes later after a penalty provided the platform to launch a move deep in Dings territory. Smith then completed a brace within 5 minutes after a break down the left-hand side from the ever-dangerous Charlie Walker in his own half created the opportunity for a simple 2-on-1 with Smith which was executed perfectly. Benji Marfo got in on the scoring action next when he scooped up a loose ball following a contest in the air on halfway and ran it in with ease. Despite having already secured a bonus point within just 15 minutes, the 1st XV were not content to sit back on the already significant lead, and they crossed the whitewash twice more before the break. First, a lovely Bragman chip over the top of the defence was reeled in by Smith as the hot-handed centre completed an outstanding a first-half hat-trick. Next, another lineout deep in enemy territory provided the platform for Jordan Martin to hit a fantastic line that saw the big second-row stroll in under the posts.

Having been afforded the opportunity to regather themselves at half-time, Dings finally got on the scoreboard early in the second half as a penalty straight from kickoff allowed Tomas Gwilliam to steer a maul over the line. Thankfully, the 1st XV responded to this slow start with a couple more scores of their own as Marfo got on the end of a Bragman crossfield kick and finished clinically to complete his brace, before he then went on to set up a try himself. When a well-worked move saw the winger put into space out wide, a clever chip infield over the top of the covering defence sat up nicely for Charlie Mulchrone who gathered it in and dotted down.

Dings showed great spirit to finish the game as they finally wrestled back some momentum from Park in the final quarter. Kofi Cripps went over from the back of another maul to start the good run for the visitors before Deago Bailey finished off a nice move under the posts. Then, Sam Edwards secured the away side a bonus point as he sniped from the base of a breakdown on the Park line. Despite this, a comeback remained out of reach and Ewan Fenley cemented the dominant victory with a late try in the corner following a yellow card shown to Dings’ Matt Lane.

ROSSLYN PARK

Tries: Bragman (3’), J. Smith (7’, 11’, 25’), Marfo (14’, 45’), Martin (30’), Mulchrone (47’), Fenley (77’)
Conversions: Bragman (4’, 8’, 12’, 15’, 26’, 31, 46’), J. Smith (48’)
Penalties: N/A
Yellow Cards: N/A

Team: Cade, Miller, Charalambous, Spencer, Martin, Digby, Ellis, Hosking, Mulchrone, Bragman, Marfo, Gordon, J. Smith, Cordy-Redden, Walker

Replacements: Keasey, Wade, Wrafter, Fenley, Gwynn

DINGS CRUSADERS

Tries: Gwilliam (42’), Cripps (59’), Bailey (63’), Edwards (69’)
Conversions: Boulton (60’, 64’)
Penalties: N/A
Yellow Cards: Lane (76’)

Team: Sims, Gwilliam, Halliwell, Thompson, Lane, Tull, Cripps, Pearce, Edwards, Boulton, Taufa, Tarling, Bailey, O. Smith, Foot

Replacements: Gollop, Trevett, Hone, Knight, Hargan

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Blackheath 50 – 27 Esher
Darlington Mowden Park 34 – 38 Sale FC
Rams 24 – 7 Birmingham Moseley
Richmond 43 – 12 Leicester Lions
Rotherham Titans 34 – 45 Bishop’s Stortford
Sedgley Park 41 – 26 Plymouth Albion

This week in National One saw Sale and Stortford emerge as the only sides to pick up wins away from home as they overcame DMP and Rotherham respectively. Elsewhere, Blackheath, Rams, Richmond and Sedgley Park all joined Park in securing bonus point victories at home.

Up Next for Park is an away trip to Leicester to take on the Lions.