Rosslyn Park 40–24 Sheffield
03/10/26
An emphatic first half from Rosslyn Park ensured they would finally get a much-needed 40-24 win against Sheffield at The Rock. Tries from Freddie Vaughan, Danny Cutmore, LJ Ekendahl, Archie Hosking and Max Fraine helped the west London outfit get over the line, with Rory Jennings’ boot helping keep the visitors out of reach.
Park started very well, as some neat hands on the edge found Freddie Vaughan, who powered through some defenders to score.
Two minutes later, Vaughan intercepted a long pass on halfway to run 50 metres and score, with Jennings’ boot making sure it was 14-0 five minutes in.
That momentum continued when Jennings used his quick hands on an edge to put Danny Cutmore in at the corner flag, which, of course, Jennings then converted.
The backs were showing their skill, and a clever move in the backline allowed LJ Ekendahl to go streaking through to dive over the line 23 minutes in. Four minutes later, it would be 35-0 when Ekendahl fed a lovely offload to Archie Hosking, who dived over the line.
But Sheffield would make sure they had something heading into the sheds, with Will Smith making a run on the short side of a scrum to score in the corner.
The second half was a lot tenser affair. Park stood firm in defence, with some big hits coming in. However, on the 60th minute, Sheffield’s Elliot Fisher found the whitewash after a clever offload on the fringe.
Tempers boiled over and Park’s Harry Ledger subsequently saw yellow.
However, four minutes later, Park would retain their substantial lead. This time, a cheeky lineout move saw Jack Matthews play a quick ball to Max Fraine, who dived over in the corner.
However, with 10 minutes to play, Fisher found the try line again. This time, a clever inside ball to the scrum-half put him through.
The pressure on Park continued to mount, and with multiple penalties, Danny Cutmore received the second yellow of the afternoon on 75 minutes.
Sheffield made the most of the extra man, with the maul coming to work and Rhodri Campbell claiming the try.
But the late surge would not be enough, and Park can hold their heads high, claiming an important 40-24 win at home.
Referee: Callum Watson
Star man: Rory Jennings
Attendance: 750
Rosslyn Park
Tries: Vaughan (2’, 5’), Cutmore (17’), Ekendahl (23’), Hosking (27’), Fraine (64’)
Conversions: Jennings: (3′, 6′, 18′, 23′, 28′)
Penalties: n/a
Yellow Cards: Ledger (60’), Cutmore (75’)
Team: Woodward, Davies (c), Wheeler, Bell, Cutmore, Elston, Hosking, King, Fenley, Glackin, Ekendahl, Jennings, Vaughan, Trimble, Walker
Replacements: Fraine, Murphy, Ledger, Ellis, Matthews
Sheffield
Tries: Smith (37’), Fisher (60’, 70’), Campbell (78’)
Conversions: Posa (61’, 78’)
Penalties: n/a
Yellow Cards: n/a
Team: Whitney, Archer, Rogers, Redfern, Parsons, Fawdry, Henshall, Poole, Fisher, Posa, Smith, Castledine, Goatley, Chubb, Delaney
Replacements: Campbell, Reid, Mulrooney, Kent, Drenan