Stockwood snatch top spot thanks to Bedford Queens win

Stockwood Park snatched top spot in Midlands Three East South with a mature 40-22 win over county rivals Bedford Queens.

The London Road men touched down six times to secure the bonus-point victory.

“I was very pleased with the result, but in terms of the match I thought both teams played to Queens’ strengths,” said first team coach, Stephen Morgan.

“With that behind us, we can focus on our own strengths next week.”

The game was tight at half time as Stockwood led 18-17.

Alex Lovell sniped through the Queens defence on halfway and sprinted in after Carl Burgoyne had scored the first, while Jason Carr slotted over two first half penalties and a conversion.

The second half saw Park assert more dominance as the meaty Queens pack began to tire.

There were tries from David Keating, Joe Flatley, Carr and Burgoyne, with Carr converting one.

Park played part of the game with 14 men after prop Justin Harkin was harshly sin-binned following a minor indiscretion with the boot.

Stockwood go to Rugby St Andrews on Saturday.