Park took a grip on this South London Derby from the start and never really released it. An early run from winger Sam Ashland-Robinson took them deep into Blackheath territory, from where scrum half Russ Weir sniped a try following a scrum. Leonard converted for 7-0.

Leonard narrowly missed a penalty, but from the drop-out centre Andrew Henderson scooted through to dot down for 12-0.

Home fly half Leo Fielding pegged back the lead with a smart interception try that he converted himself for 12-7, then added a penalty on 28 minutes for 12-10 at half time, a score that flattered, but might have encouraged, Blackheath.

It was Park who came out fired up for the second half, skipper Hugo Ellis intercepting at the line out and charging half the length of the field to score with less than a minute on the clock. Leonard converted for 19-0.


Try for Hugo Ellis

Six minutes later flanker Adam Frampton added a further try to claim the bonus point, Leonard again on the mark for 26-10.

When Harry Hudson added to Blackheath’s misery with a further try on 57 minutes, also converted by Leonard, for 33-10 the match was effectively all over.

Ex-Park man Tom Baldwin got a consolation try for the home side with 6 minutes remaining, but a minute later Leonard rounded things off for Park with a penalty for a final score of 36-15.

Park: Robinson; Aspland-Robinson, Henderson, Reay, Kohler; Leonard; Weir; Nwakor, Vaughan-Edwards, Maguire; Frampton, Boyle; Milne, Hudson, Ellis.
Bench: Wade, Bellamy, Taggart, Crow, Grove
Park scorers: Weir (T), Henderson (T), Ellis (T), Frampton (T), Hudson (T), Leonard (P, 4C).

Rosslyn Park Attack and Defence Coach, Scott Sneddon, said, “It was a great performance from the team, to come away from Blackheath with points Is never an easy task, to come away with 5 is great.

“We started well and talked about being clinical and ruthless when we had chances. Although a few chances went astray early on, we had control for the full 80 minutes which was pleasing.

“Had we taken those chances early on and not gifted Blackheath easy 10 points then we could have been in a more comfortable position come the break.

“Defensively we were outstanding and forced Blackheath to make mistakes, we turned pressure into to points well and that was pleasing from a coaching point of view”.

Looking forward to Saturday week’s home match against the unbeaten league Leaders, Hartpury, he said, “We now have to take that performance into Hartpury who have been the outstanding performers this season.

“The boys will have a much deserved week off and we will relish the challenge that Hartpury present the week after. The away performance in Gloucestershire was a frustrating one, we switched off for a 15 minutes period and conceded 12 points, that was ultimately the difference.

“It will be a tough challenge against a full time outfit but if we can play the best of our ability then I am confident we can push Hartpury all the way”.

Park: Robinson; Crane, Henderson, Reay, Kohler; Leonard; Weir; Nwakor, Piper, Lovell; Inglis, Boyle; Taggart, Harries, Ellis
Bench: Nwakor, Lovell, Inglis, Crow, Grove
Park scorers: Leonard (T, P, 7C), Weir (2T), Henderson (T,C), Crane (T), Harries (T), 2 Penalty tries.

Charlie Addiman

Images: David Whittam

February 19, 2017