Rosslyn Park 59 – 33 Bishop’s Stortford
21/03/26
Rosslyn Park were unable to convert their opportunities as they fell short to a well-drilled Bishop’s Stortford side, losing 59–33 away from home. Although there was an improved second-half display from the visitors, it wasn’t enough to secure a win on the road.
Stortford came out of the blocks early, as some neat hands put Tom Mills in to score. Things got even better for the hosts soon after, as David Hayes offloaded to Tom Hitchcock, who went over, giving them a 12–0 lead through the boot of Chris Bolton inside 10 minutes.
Park did respond, though, as a series of penalties eventually put them on the try line, with Max Fraine coming up from the bottom of the maul to score. Subsequently, Hannah Ferguson from Stortford received a yellow card for collapsing it.
However, that momentum was short-lived. Straight from the restart, Stortford regathered the ball and Hitchcock went over for another. The lead was extended again to 26–7 when a neat break by winger Seva Kava from a loose ball put him in under the sticks.
Eventually, Park got more from the first half, as Gareth Blackmore scored off another rolling maul five metres out. That momentum was again short-lived, as more quick phases saw Alex Gilham go over under the posts, making it 33–14 heading into the sheds.
Park started the second half very brightly. After stealing the kick-off, Sam Keenaugh went over to score. Minutes later, Stortford built phases again and Will Rogers went over, with Benji Marfo seeing yellow for a high tackle.
On the 50-minute mark, Park found their footing again. More sustained attack and a neat offload from Tom Stanton put Ewan Fenley in. Against the run of play, Park suddenly found themselves within seven points when a long ball from Charlie Mulchrone put Stanton in to score, making it 40–33, as Ed Morgan failed to convert.
However, on the stroke of 60 minutes, Stortford regained their cushion when a grubber put Kava in again. Park then came knocking once more, but an agonising knock-on at the line stopped them. After Stortford stood firm in defence, they capitalised on a loose ball, which Asa Harris picked up to run in and score.
Eventually, in the last play of the game, they secured the win as multiple phases put them back on Park’s line before they bulldozed over, ending it 59–33.
A tough day at the office for Park, who will be eager to bounce back.
Rosslyn Park
Tries: Fraine (13’), Blackmore (23’), Kennaugh (41’), Fenley (50’), Stanton (55’)
Conversions: Morgan (13’, 23’, 41’, 51’)
Penalties: n/a
Yellow Cards: Marfo (44’)
Team: Cade, Fraine, Nwakor, Spencer, Gillanders, Orchard, Blackmore, Digby (c), Fenley, Morgan, Marfo, Kennaugh, Stanton, Walker, Smith
Replacements: Cameron, Kennison-Cook, Screene, Mulchrone, Volley.
Bishop’s Stortford
Tries: Mills (1’), Hitchcock (7’, 15’), Kava (19’, 60’) Gilham (40’), Rogers (44’), A-Harris (70’), N/A (80’)
Conversions: Bolton (7’, 15’, 19’, 40, 45’, 71’, 80’)
Penalties: n/a
Yellow Cards: Hill (13’)
Team: Smith, Bell, Hill, Ferguson, Kiff, Jones, Rayment, Rogers (C), Bolton, Hayes, Keva, Hitchcock, Gilham, Mills, Morris
Replacements: Ducci, Ashton, Apperley, A-Harris, Pope