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Forwards Dan Laventure, Stewart Maguire, Karl Gibson and Gregor Gillanders all scored as Park went 26-3 up. Tim Bitirim’s brace and a score from Jack Moates put pressure on the visitors but Henry Robinson and Marfo’s tries secured the win.

Paul Doran-Jones gave Park a nervy last 20 minutes when he was sent off but the visitors denied Loughborough any comeback hopes.


Henry Robinson scores for Park

Park got their first points after 13 minutes, Laventure going over after some fast attacking play. Loughborough responded quickly though, Charlie Reed kicking a penalty five minutes later.

The visitors responded on 23 minutes, Maguire going over after driving play. And Gibson eluded Loughborough’s pack to score behind the line out just before half-time. Park got the second half started with a score too, Gillanders smashing through three minutes in. Loughborough substitute Bitirim got the home side’s first try of the game after 51 minutes. But Park’s own super-sub Owen Hughes went on a weaving run before feeding Robinson two minutes later.

Top scorer Marfo, returning to action for the first time since December, added Park’s sixth try on 57 minutes for a 26-point lead. But Doran-Jones was sent off just past the hour for throwing some punches in the scrum.

A one-man deficit did not stop Laventure getting his second try on 68 minutes, though. Bitirim and Moates gave Park a scare with two tries in three minutes but Leonard’s late penalty saw the visitors to victory.

Park head to Birmingham next for their rescheduled fixture against Moseley. They suffered a setback in their relegation battle as Sale beat them 37-30 in a close-fought battle at Heywood Road. Park were given a scare when they came to the Rock in October but a late Mike MacFarlane try saw the London side win 27-22.

Attendance: 400
Referee: Alex Thomas


Rosslyn Park
Tries: Laventure 13, 68, Maguire 23, Gibson 39, Gillanders 43, Robinson 53, Marfo 57
Conversions: Leonard 24, 40, 44, 69
Penalties: Leonard 76
Red Cards: Paul Doran-Jones 64
Team (15-9/1-8): Russell Weir; Bam Fadahunsi, Henry Robinson (Amesbury 69), Joe Munro, Charlie Amesbury (Benji Marfo 52); Harry Leonard ©, Jack Gash (Greg Lound 54); Ali Wade, Karl Gibson (Owen Hughes 52), Stewart Maguire (Paul Doran-Jones 40); Adam Frampton, Gregor Gillanders (Hugh Tizard 59); Jack Barnard, Arthur Ellis (Maguire 64), Dan Laventure



Warren Muggleton

Images: David Whittam

Karl Gibson scores for Park

February 18, 2019