Stockwood Park run out huge winners over Rushden
Park pick up excellent triumph
Stockwood Park continued their superb start to the Counties Two Midlands East (South) League season with an impressive 53-0 victory over Rushden and Higham RFC at London Road last Saturday.
With their crowd swelled by the presence of over 100 former players, the hosts had to make some late team changes, as the experienced Michael Powell and their Nick Dundee were forced to withdraw, Stockwood quickly readjusting with Sonny Monaghan and Ronnie Speakman taking their places.
Park were soon into their stride and with an outstanding display of running and support rugby, produced a display full of pace, ably conducted by fly-half Speakman, with flankers Reece Sweeney and man of the match Kieran Taylor prominent. Stockwood swept into a 33-0 advantage at the break, Angus Buckman, Frank Daly, Jack Brooks, star performer Taylor and Robert Day, all touching down.
In the second period, Park added four more tries, as Buckman and Taylor went over to double their tally, with further scores coming from Thulani Dhilwayo and Jerome Isles, as they ran out 53-0 victors. This weekend, Stockwood travel to Leicester Lions.
Park’s 2nd XV lost at home 36-28 to Towcestrians in a thrilling fixture
The visitors had to endure some late team changes, due to the first team having a player injured in the warm-up, but at no stage did the side let these events get in the way of their fine performance, with Karl Belmarsh earning huge plaudits after answering a late call to turn out and play.
Man of the match Kyran Ryan had an excellent afternoon playing 10, and was rewarded with a try, while his half back partner Alex Lovell weighed in with two scores, Tim Franks also on the scoresheet with a try and two conversions. Brilliantly led by captain Dan Hooper, Park gave one of the favourites a competitive contest, in what is a tough division, but having moved into the league to improve their all-round play, although results haven’t gone there way yet, the performances of the players have got better and better.
» Dunstablians thrashed Northampton Heathens 65-14 in their East Midlands Merit B2 contest on Saturday and now host Northampton Mens Own this weekend.