On a magnificent occasion for local rugby, next door neighbours Stockwood Park RFC and Luton RFC played out an excellent Bedfordshire Shield Final under floodlights at Park’s London Road ground and in front of one of the largest crowds seen at Stockwood Park in recent years. The game was played in great spirit, well refereed and although Luton were competitive until the end, scoring two late trys, it was Park who emerged as the clear and worthy winners, scoring 7 trys in a final score of 45-19.
Park took an early lead from a very good team start, Fly Half Sean Martyn, competitive throughout, diving over in the corner. Luton soon responded with a well worked converted try before further trys from Park by No 8 Michael Powell and Hooker Alfie Daly followed with Centre Nick Dundee, adding the extras with 2 magnificent conversions. The score was 19-7 at the break.
In the second half Park moved up a gear. Acting Skipper and Lock Forward Connor Underwood was dominant in the lineout with the back row forwards of Michael Powell and Flankers Sonny Monaghan and Park’s Man of the Match, Dan Loft, competitive throughout . Further trys for Park came from strong running Lock Forward Sean McIntyre followed by a brace of well worked trys from the influential and skilful Nick Dundee, both of which he converted.
With the score at 38-7 Luton were rewarded for their persistence with two well taken trys to take the score to 38-19 before Park’s Will Standring completed the scoring with a try under the posts converted by Dundee to give Nick Dundee a personal total of 20 points and Park a well deserved Bedfordshire Shield victory by 45 – 19 .
The Shield Final marked the last game in control for Park’s Head Coach Tom Edmunds. Tom stands down after 8 years in charge. A product of Park’s Mini and Youth system himself, the fact that 15 of Park’s 22 man match day squad have come through the same Mini and Youth set up underlines the importance of it to the Club. . Tom has been a giant for Stockwood Park, in more ways than one, and the Club wishes him well for his future.
