Park lost their National 1 home opener v Cambridge 19-22 in an error strewn performance. Cambridge opened up a 12-0 lead after 10 minutes, Park then fought back to lead 19-12 with seven minutes to go only t o concede a late try and a match winning drop goal to condemn them to a very disappointing loss. Cambridge must be credited for a determined performance, they were clinical in attack and although lost the forward and territory battle out scored Park 3 tries to 1 and that attacking execution rightly presented them with the league points.

Parks only try came from Josh Ovens, a scrum pushover try from a dominant Park 8.

Park's Attack/Backs Coach, Andy Holloway, commented:
"At this level gifting a team a 12 point start is unforgivable. We gifted Cambridge field position in the first 15 minutes and at 12-0 down, we've put ourselves in trouble. It's all well and good then applying the plan, playing in their half and getting on top of them, but it's too late. In those conditions league rugby is about getting out of your third, taking your points and the chances that come your way and we did neither. The fact it was a 7 point difference with 7 mins to go was down to our awful start to the game. Unfortunately we also did not execute the very basics to close the game out and that resulted in us giving Cambridge the chance to win it. They did exactly that and they deserved it"

Park: Robinson, Kohler, Grove, Howley-Berridge, Henderson, Sneddon, Weir, Lilley, Piper, Lovell, Inglis (captain), Frampton, Milne, Harries, Ovens
Subs: Gleave, Nwakor, Ellis, Gash, Leonard. (Subs all used)

This Saturday Park travel to Plymouth Albion, 3pm KO.

Shaun Justice

September 11, 2016