Park returned to winning ways in this league game against a very stubborn Vagabonds team. By ensuring the win Park retained their place at the top of the league and with results in the league going Park's way the lead at the top has increased to two points.

The game started with Park kicking off into a stiff breeze and for the next 40 minutes spent most of their time in the Vagabonds half. Time after time Park launched attacks only to be repulsed by a resolute Vagabonds defence. At times Vagabonds were over enthusiastic in their defending and were rightly penalised, however Park were unable to capitalise fully and by half time only led by 6 - 0, courtesy of 2 well struck penalties by Tom Mapp.

With the wind at their backs Park began the second half in determined fashion and after a speculative kick down field the Vagabonds defence gave away a scrum on their 5m line. From the resulting scrum, fly half, Tom "Bobble" Foden, neatly collected the ball from around his ankles and side stepped the defence to score under the posts, Tom Mapp duly converted and Park led 13 - 0.

Unfortunately Park then lost concentration and allowed Vagabonds back into the game with the Vagabonds prop scoring a try after a driving maul put Park on the back foot.

Almost immediately Park responded in typical fashion, winning a scrum on the Vagabonds 22m and then spinning the ball wide for Ronan O'Brien to join the line and score.

Game over you would have thought but once again Park were caught napping and allowed the Vagabonds scrum half to score under the posts to make the score 20 - 12.

In the last 15mins of the game Park finally gained control of the game and after a series of driving mauls, with the Park forwards dominating a tiring Vagabonds pack, Mark Poole scored the final try of the game.

The score at the end was 27 - 12 and this solid display by Park will hopefully be the spring board for their push for promotion.

Man of the Match, hooker Andy Wilson, once again covered every blade of grass on the park and with Poole and John Clifford carrying the ball up well to set targets, the forward play is becoming forceful and reliable. Even though defences find ways, many not legal but unpunished, of slowing down ball won in rucks and mauls, the Park backs can be relied upon to carve out openings and score tries. On this occasion they scored two tries of high quality. Long may it continue.

Dave Walsh 1st team manager.