Despite a spirited second half display into strong wind and rain Park lost their tough National 1 opener away at Ampthill 24-15. After Park narrowed the scores to 19-15 with 2 minutes left on the clock, Ampthill scored a late breakaway try to deny Park any points from their first league game.

Both sides scored 2 tries each, Parks try's came from Adam Bellamy and Charlie Piper, both from lineout mauls. The game was a very tight affair and the strong wind and constant rain limited both sides to a predominantly tight and forwards based attack. Park ultimately came up short because of a sub standard first 40 with the wind behind them, going into the break 10-7 down.

Park Forwards Coach, Kieran Power, said:
"In what was a very combative forward performance our ill discipline and control to get out of our half in the early stages of the game had a huge effect on the outcome of the game. What we can take from the game was a very spirited performance but we lacked the execution needed when chances came our way. This is something we will looking at and be ready for Cambridge who play a very expansive style."

Hugo Ellis Parks captain commented:
" It's a bitter pill to swallow at the end to come away from a game that could have gone either way with nothing. We didn't execute well enough when we got into their 22 and didn't use the wind well enough in the first half. Ampthill is definitely a tough place to come though, not many teams will come away from there with a win and we've just got to bounce back and go again next week."

Park: Henderson, Kohler, Howley-Berridge, Leonard, Vincent, Sneddon, Gash, Lilley, Bellamy, Maguire, Inglis, Boyle, Milne, Ovens, Ellis (captain).
Subs: Piper, Lovell, Harries, Weir, Robinson.

This Saturday Park host newly promoted Cambridge, 3pm KO in Park’s first home match of the League campaign.

Charlie Addiman

September 5, 2016