Rosslyn Park 29 – 40 Rams
13/12/25
Rosslyn Park fell short against a clinical Rams outfit at The Rock, slipping to their fourth defeat of the season. A standout display from fullback Zach Clow kept the hosts under pressure throughout, and although Park enjoyed long spells of front foot ball in the second half, they struggled to find the decisive final pass in a thrilling National One encounter.
Park started the brighter of the two sides. Sustained dominance from the forwards saw captain Jack Digby power over from close range, with Steff James adding the extras. Moments later, the hosts struck again straight from the restart, Luke Mehson slicing through a gap and striding 50 metres for his first try.
But the visitors from Berkshire responded swiftly. A string of Park penalties handed Rams prime attacking territory, and their forwards made no mistake as Paddy Harris crashed over, converted by Mike Cooke. Soon after, Rams levelled the contest with sharp interplay: Axel Kalling Smith’s neat hands released Clow, helping send Oli Rhoads diving over in the corner.
Player of the Match Clow was again instrumental as Rams took the lead. After making valuable metres, the ball was worked wide to Rowan Grundy, who finished well. Cooke added an excellent touchline conversion.
Park refused to fade. A well executed scrum move sent the ball wide to Benji Marfo, who cut the deficit to two. Then, on the brink of half time, a Park scrum on halfway appeared stolen by Rams, but when the ball spilled loose, Mehson reacted quickest, scooping it up and racing 50 metres for his second to restore Park’s lead.
The second half was a more tense affair. Rams struck first when Connor Stapley intercepted on halfway to run in unopposed. Their momentum continued as slick handling sent Clow over, Cooke’s conversion stretching the lead to 22–33 entering the final half hour.
Park hit back through George Orchard after sustained pressure, narrowing the gap to four. But Rams had the final say, sharp backline play freeing Henry Bartlett to score and seal the away victory. Park still had chances late on, with Joe Luca Smith agonisingly close but losing the ball over the line.
Rosslyn Park
Tries: Digby (8’) Mehson (10’,39’) Marfo (26’) Orchard (66’)
Conversions: James (9’, 67’)
Penalties: N/A
Yellow Cards: N/A
Team: Wade, Fraine, Woodward, Bell, Martin, Cleet, King, Digby (c), Fenley, James, Walker, Preen, Volley, Mehson, Smith
Replacements: Cameron, Nwakor, Orchard, Mulchrone, Marfo
Rams
Tries: Harris (15’) Rhoads (17’) Grundy (23’) Stapley (43’), Clow (50’) Bartlett (75’)
Conversions: Cooke (16’, 24’, 44’, 51’, 76’)
Penalties: N/A
Yellow Cards: N/A
Team: Harris, Hayman (c), Lomas, Stapley, Elston, Stone, Tull, Bicknell, Hodgson, Cooke, Rhoads, Grundy, Kalling-smith, Bartlett, Clow
Replacements: Marshall, Baker, Atkins, Duda, Boxhall,
Next up we return to The Rock – Friday night lights on December 19 against Tonbridge Juddians!