Bishop’s Stortford claim try-scoring bonus point in 40-28 home defeat to Rosslyn Park in National 1
Bishop’s Stortford claimed a try-scoring bonus point as they suffered a 40-28 home defeat to Rosslyn Park in National 1 on Saturday (March 8).
Jake Morris got a brace and there was a try apiece for Harrison Langworthy and captain Will Rogers, but it was not enough to prevent the third-placed visitors securing their 15th victory of the campaign.
Stortford have slipped two places to 11th and remain seven points above the bottom three ahead of their trip to basement boys Darlington Mowden Park this Saturday (March 15).
The hosts started slowly and a strong and skilful Park side took full advantage, capitalising on some poor defensive alignment in midfield for Tom Stanton to dash through for a try, converted by Josh Bragman.
Stortford countered, but butchered a golden scoring opportunity with a badly-dropped pass. The home side persisted in kicking ball to the visitors’ threatening backs and shipped two further tries, scored by Joe Luca Smith and Rhys Charalambous on 14 and 26 minutes, both converted by Bragman, followed by a penalty try after 29 minutes.
Tom Mills was yellow-carded, but Stortford proceeded to play some controlled rugby and were rewarded with a try to Langworthy just before the break.
Stortford were much more competitive after the break and doubled their score with a try to Morris, brilliantly converted by Chris Bolton after 47 minutes.
But the score was cancelled out only two minutes later when James Cordy-Redden touched down.
The home side struck back with converted tries to skipper Rogers and Morris to bring up the try bonus point.
It also briefly brought up a losing point, but this was snatched away with Stanton’s second try after 66 minutes and, despite their best efforts, Stortford were unable again to get within seven points.
Stortford: Powell, Morris, Mills, Pope, Gilham, Hayes, Bolton; Brownhill, Rayment, Peck, Ferguson, Kiff, Johnson, Langworthy, Rogers. Replacements: T Smith, Moffitt, Jones, Biard, C Smith.
Rosslyn Park: Smith, Walker, Stanton, Cordy-Redden, Marfo, Bragman, Mulchrone; Woodward, Cameron, Charambalous, Gillanders, Bell, Laventure, Ledger, Marshall. Replacements: Tyson, Wade, Spencer, Fenley, James.
Scorers: Stortford - Tries: Langworthy 38, Morris 47, 59, Rogers 54; Cons: Bolton 39, 48, 55, 60. Rosslyn Park - Tries: Stanton 3, 66, Smith 14, Charambalous 26, penalty try 29, Cordy-Redden 49; Cons: Bragman 4, 15, 27, 50, 67.
Referee: Henry Pearson.
Star man: Rhys Charambalous (Rosslyn Park).
Attendance: 649.