Both Stockwood Park RFC and Oundle RFC arrived at Stockwood Park on Saturday with unbeaten league records in the season so far.
Oundle, with their professional club background, clearly started as favourites but they had not taken account of an outstanding display of spirited team rugby which Park produced to take the score from 15 – 41 behind midway through the second half to 34-41 behind with 2 minutes to go and with Tight Head Prop Mark Smith, who had an excellent game, being held up over the visitors try line for a try and probable conversion which would have levelled the scores.
Mark Smith was magnificent throughout, strong in the scrums and powerful in the loose where he constantly made ground with surging runs. All the forwards made big contributions with long serving Number 8 Aaron Beattie not far behind Smith with 2 trys and a performance full of commitment .
In the backs the handling was excellent, as it was for both sides with barely a dropped pass all afternoon. Park’s mid field of Centres Jordan Fadoju and Nick Dundee plus Fly Half Sean Martyn were committed in defence and attack as Oundle’s speedy backs were always dangerous.
Oundle took an early 5-0 lead before Aaron Beattie drove over from close range for a try with Nick Dundee converting and kicking a penalty to give Park a 10-5 lead. The visitors then scored two converted trys including an interception right on halftime to move 10-19 ahead on the break. By now Park’s energetic Flanker Reece Sweeney had needed to leave the field with a damaged hand.
After the break the visitors stretched their lead to 15-41 with Park’s speedy winger Kyran Ryan having scored a try wideout for Park with a great run to the line.
With 20 minutes to go Park’s impressive team spirit took over. Urged on by Skipper and scrum half Frank Daly, they added a further three excellent trys, all coming from their forwards. First hardworking Hooker Thulani Dhilwayo drove over, followed by Prop Mark Smith and finally by No 8 Aaron Beattie for his second try. Nick Dundee converted two of the trys as Beattie’s try set up Park for their final push for victory.
It was not to be but Park picked up two valuable league bonus points as they prepare to go to Datchworth RFC next Saturday for their second round game in the Counties 2 Midlands Cup. KO 3pm
Park’s 2nd team had an excellent merit table victory over local rivals Leighton Buzzard RFC by 77 -5. Two of Park’s Colts were making their Senior debuts and both scored . Winger Matthieu Degui scored 5 trys and Kyle Chalkley scored 1 try.