Rosslyn Park 29 – 14 Plymouth Albion
04/10/25
A clinical Rosslyn Park performance at The Rock saw the hosts secure an impressive 15-point victory over National League 1 high-flyers Plymouth Albion. Not even Storm Amy’s blustery winds could halt Park’s unbeaten run.
Park got going early. After applying pressure inside Albion’s 22, a well-earned penalty allowed Steff James to kick to within five metres. The pack mauled powerfully, and Charlie Piper emerged from the bottom to claim the opening try.
The next 15 minutes saw Albion bounce back and showcase their attacking intent, but they were unable to capitalise as Park’s defence held firm. Tensions rose following a penalty inside the home side’s half, and Albion’s Jenson Boughton received the first yellow card of the afternoon.
Park soon regained momentum, building phases inside the visitors’ 22. After a series of offside penalties, a tap-and-go saw the forwards punch through before the backs linked up with slick hands to send Tom Stanton darting over. Steff James added the extras to give Park a 12–0 lead at the break.
Albion came out firing in the second half and made an early break, but Luke Mehson recovered brilliantly to make a try-saving tackle. Unfortunately, he was deemed to have intentionally knocked the ball on and received Park’s first yellow card.
Albion eventually made the most of the numerical advantage. After several phases on Park’s line, they spun it wide to Frankie Dart, who crossed for the try and converted his own score.
Park responded swiftly. After building pressure in Albion’s half, Steff James delivered a pinpoint cross-field kick into the in-goal area, where Benji Marfo pounced to score. James slotted the conversion to restore Park’s cushion.
The hosts continued to build momentum. Some beautiful handling in midfield led to a break, and as the ball was kicked forward, captain Arthur Ellis hacked it on only to be held back near the line by Albion’s Jack Oulton, who was shown a yellow card. Park made the most of the penalty, and after the forwards crashed towards the line, Charlie Mulchrone picked a gap and darted over.
But the game wasn’t done yet. Albion applied pressure in Park’s half, and a series of infringements saw Ali Wade sent to the bin for offside. The visitors capitalised from the tap-and-go, with Ben Moa crashing over. Dart converted to make it a 12-point game heading into the final 10 minutes.
Ultimately, Park’s defence proved too strong. As Albion looked to play from deep inside their own 22, they conceded a turnover penalty, and Steff James stepped up to slot the final three points, sealing yet another National League 1 victory for the hosts.
ROSSLYN PARK
Attendance: 590
Tries: Piper (2’) Stanton (38’) Marfo (51’) Mulchrone (60’)
Conversions: James (38’, 51’, 60’)
Penalties: James (80’)
Yellow Cards: Mehson (44’) Wade (70’)
Team: Mo Nwakor, Charlie Piper, Matt Woodward, Jake Cleet, Jordan Martin, Harry Ledger, Arthur Ellis (c), Jack Digby, Charlie Mulchrone, Steff James, Benji Marfo, Sam Kennaugh, Tom Stanton, Charlie Walker, Luke Mehson
Replacements: Max Fraine, Ali Wade, Gregor Gillanders, Ewan Fenley, Luc Smith
PLYMOUTH ALBION
Tries: Dart (46’) Moa (70’)
Conversions: Dart (46’, 70’)
Penalties: N/A
Yellow Cards: Boughton (23’) Oulton (55’)
Team: Boughton, Gully, Pullinger, Stevenson, Beckerleg, Clemson, Hodges, Moa, Oulton, Legg, Wigginton, Hill, Stewert, Cornish, Dart
Replacements: Wilinson, Bishop, Broadhurst, Sheppard, Jenkins
Up next: Rosslyn Park head to Rotherham this Saturday 11th October at Clifton Lane