Whatever it was that Stockwood Park’s Skipper Frank Daly said to his team at halftime of Park’s full on and committed performance against old rivals and fellow promotion candidates, Leighton Buzzard, it certainly did the trick.
In front of a large and supportive crowd, this was a magnificent game of competitive league rugby. In the first half Park were patchy and Buzzard held the advantage as they scored one try and kicked two penaltys. Their well organised backs created problems but Park defended vigorously, with man of the match Flanker Kieran Taylor outstanding. They turned round at the break in touch at 6 – 11. Two penaltys from Centre Nick Dundee providing their points.
For Park the second half was a display of some of their best rugby of the season. On the attack from the start, Park’s pressure soon told when centre Nick Dundee broke through tackles to touch down and then kicked the extras to give Park a 13-11 lead. Park’s forwards had now established control of the scrums and from another period of pressure their outstanding Hooker Thulani Dhilwayo, a nuisance to Buzzard throughout the game, bulldozed his way over to score a try converted by Nick Dundee and to increase Park’s lead to 20-11
At 20-11 both sides attacked at every opportunity but it was Park who held firm and now looked the most dangerous. Buzzard kicked a penalty at the end but Park emerged as deserved victors by 20-14. Skipper and scrum half Frank Daly was excellent throughout, he led the team with a cool head and a skilful performance.
Next Saturday Park travel to Old Laurentians RFC 3pm KO.