A lack of props once again haunted Vauxhall Motors as they were forced to pull out of their Midlands Three East South game against town rivals Stockwood Park on Saturday.

With their two first choice props sidelined by injury – potentially until the end of the season – and with a lack of registered front-rowers, Motors are in negotiations to sign some forwards on loan and are also looking to play players out of position as they look to fulfil their fixtures for the remainder of the season.

Park, meanwhile, had to make do with a late pool fixture, triumphing
29-3 in a friendly at London League One side Harpenden IIs.

With no pressure on the young Stockwood side, they duly took a strong home team apart and the margin of victory could have been even greater.

Park took the game to their hosts from the start and should have been two scores up within minutes, Paul Harman twice going close.

Totally against the run of play, though, Harpenden claimed the first points with a well-taken penalty.

Stockwood camped on Harpenden's line but, try as they might, were denied by some superb tackling and loose passes.

It took an outstanding piece of play to eventually unpick the home team's defence.

Michael Powell pinched the ball at a Harpenden lineout and fed Park's backs who, with some great handling, made huge inroads before feeding the ball back to Powell to crash over for a superb team try.

With skipper Steve Pollock out with swine flu, the kicking duties were shared, with Paul Harman missing the first attempt at goal.
The second half was again one-way traffic and it took just four minutes for the visitors to score again.

Martin Rowe beat three men before setting the flying Frenchman Jeremy Fournier free for a simple run in out wide, although Harman was again off target.

A poor clearance kick from the hosts then enabled Park to stretch their lead further two minutes later.

Fournier's run drew the defence and his simple pass allowed Harman to score under the posts, Rowe adding the extras.

Park proceeded to dominate with man of the match Ben Griffin outstanding.

Duncan Bright touched down after some great running by the backs, Rowe converting, before Jason Mitchell crossed the whitewash on his first team debut, only for Rowe to miss his kick.

This Saturday Stockwood entertain county rivals Bedford Swifts, who have put some fine results together lately, while Motors are due to visit Long Buckby.