Rosslyn Park 27 – 28 Bishop’s Stortford
22/11/25
On an incredibly wet afternoon, West London outfit Rosslyn Park lost out in agonising fashion to Bishop’s Stortford, going down 27–28 after failing to land a last minute penalty that could have sealed victory. Tries from Archie Hosking, Jordan Martin and Joe Luca Smith weren’t enough to secure the win at The Rock.
The weather played its part from the outset, with both sides struggling to make headway. It was the hosts who broke the deadlock: after a series of penalties in the first half, Stortford saw yellow, and Park powered over through Archie Hosking to claim the opening points 20 minutes in. Bill Johnston added the extras.
Stortford hit back almost immediately, charging down Luc Smith’s kick inside Park’s five metre line before Tom Mills touched down, with David Hayes converting. Momentum then swung further towards the visitors when Conrad Cade was penalised for an illegal position and shown a yellow card. Stortford slotted three more points to edge ahead.
Park responded in style, stealing ball from a lineout and slicing through a gap to score through Jordan Martin. The hosts went into the break four points up.
The second half began with Park building momentum. After sustained pressure and penalties, Johnston pointed to the posts and added three more. Stortford, however, stood firm. Park’s defence was tested before their trademark fluid attack saw Joe Luca Smith burst through to score under the posts.
But Stortford struck back straight from the restart, powering over from close range after stealing possession. More ill discipline from the visitors allowed Park to extend their lead with another penalty.
Kick off problems continued for the hosts, though, as Stortford responded via a driving maul to cut the gap to seven. Things worsened for Park when a loose ball was hacked forward, and Jake Morris pounced to score.
Deep into the final quarter, Stortford edged ahead through the boot of Chris Bolton. Park were handed a lifeline with a penalty in the dying seconds but were unable to capitalise.
Both sides battled the tough conditions, but Park fell just short in an agonising one point defeat at The Rock.
Referee: Sam Yates
Star man: Archie Hosking
Attendance: 450
Rosslyn Park:
Tries: Hosking (19’) Martin (39’) Luca Smith, (52’)
Conversions: Johnston (19’, 40’, 52’)
Penalties: Johnston (44’, 56’)
Yellow Cards: Cade (38’)
Team: Cade, Fraine, Woodward, Cleet, Martin, Spencer (c), Hosking, King, Fenley, Johnston, Marfo, Volley, Luca Smith, Mehson, Walker,
Replacements: Cameron, Wade, Orchard, Redpath, Smith
Bishop’s Stortford:
Tries: Langworthy (27’) Bell (54’) Ferguson (60’) Morris (70’)
Conversions: Hayes (28’)
Penalties: Hayes (38’) Bolton (71’)
Yellow Cards: Rogers (18’)
Team: Hill, Bell, Peck, Ferguson, Ashton, Jones, Langworthy, Rogers (c), S-Harris, Johal, Morris. Hitchcock, Gilham, Mills, Hayes
Replacements: Rayment, Smith, Kiff, Bolton, Pope.