Standring runs in a hat-trick of tries for brilliant Park but Luton lose

Against a strong opposition and in what were adverse weather conditions throughout, Park began by conceding 14 points in the first five minutes as the home side raced into a healthy lead.

Stockwood needed to wake up, and wake up they did as left winger Joe Ladley, in his first season at 1st XV level, scored a fine individual try, followed by Will Standring’s first of the afternoon.

They were added to by an excellent solo effort from fly-half Ronnie Speakman, unfortunately injured in the act of touching down and replaced by Alex Lovell, who came on at scrum half, with former skipper Frank Daly moving into the midfield.

Centre Angus Buckman switched to fly-half and added one conversion on a difficult day for place kicking.

Turning round with a 17-14 advantage, Stockwood gradually moved away from the Lions with two more tries from Standring, who completed his hat-trick, and one by lively full-back Olly Daly, after a clever kick through by Lovell.

Buckman added the extras for two of the tries, as although Lions went over late on, Park had done enough to secure victory, with what was a magnificent defensive display allied to strong running and support play in attack.

Led from the front by skipper Connor Underwood, man of the match went to Thulani Dhilwayo, who started at tight head prop and finished at hooker, a constant menace to the hosts while Standring produced his finest outing in a Stockwood shirt.

On Saturday, St Ives are the visitors to London Road for what will be a top-of-the-table clash between the two remaining unbeaten sides in the league.

» Luton Rugby Club fell to a 34-0 defeat against a clinical St Albans side in their Counties Two Herts London & SE Division fixture on Saturday.

The visitors, buoyed by their first win of the campaign the previous weekend, produced a fiercely competitive and gritty display in torrential, wind-swept conditions, which played a part in proceedings from the opening whistle.

Luton matched the league leaders' physicality in the trenches, contesting every breakdown and putting in relentless defensive shifts across the park.

While St Albans managed to capitalise on territory and execute their chances with ruthless precision, the scoreline failed to capture the sheer determination and grit shown by the home side, who refused to yield an inch of ground easily.

Speaking after the final whistle, Seniors coach David Hamm highlighted the squad’s unwavering work ethic and spirit under demanding circumstances, saying: “The final score doesn’t tell the whole story.

"What stood out above all else was the incredible intensity the lads played with for the full 80 minutes.

"In truly brutal, stormy conditions, every single player threw themselves into every tackle and worked tirelessly for each other from start to finish.

"If we keep bringing that level of fight and commitment into training and our upcoming fixtures, the results will follow."

Luton entertain Hitchin IIs this weekend.

» Dunstablians thrashed Northampton Mens Own 47-0 in their East Midlands Merit B2 contest on Saturday.