Park secure promotion
Vauxhall vanquished in heavy defeat
Promotion from Midlands Three East was secured by Stockwood Park on Saturday as they defeated Rugby St Andrews 17-10.
Three season's ago Park would have lost this game without a fight, but they dug deep to win this close encounter.
Having won promotion last season under the stewardship of Tony Harman, Dave Budge and Steve Rowe, the trick has been repeated again this year under the command of Graham Lumney and Steve Green.
Stockwood triumphed at the weekend, but were made to fight all the way for it by a huge, well-drilled Rugby pack.
And the visitors took the lead when a clearance kick was charged down and gathered for a simple unconverted try wide out.
St Andrews showed great tenacity and put a huge amount of pressure on Stockwood, but it was the hosts who scored next.
Scrum-half Paul Harman was the man to cross the whitewash on 10 minutes after a cleverly-worked lineout.
Try as they might Stockwood were unable to dominate the visitors and missed two kickable penalties.
Rugby had the better of the scrimmages so Park were forced to run the ball as much as they could.
Harman excelled at this and one run took him 60 yards before he was pulled down.
Man of the match, number eight, Gareth Jones though, helped to ensure Park were in charge at the break.
Jones did some sterling work at the base of a scrum throughout and from one set piece, he beat two players and crashed over near the posts for a good converted try.
The second half began with Stockwood looking much more dominant, but again it was the visitors who struck first with a well worked unconverted try out wide.
The game ebbed and flowed with neither team being able to break through, with some good breaks by Park's backs thwarted by some tough tackling from the visitors.
St Andrews' backs then also gained control, with their right winger proving a huge handful, and Park were lucky not to concede further points.
However, Park's nerves were settled with 10 minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty and skipper Steve Pollock converted.
This Saturday, Stockwood travel to Bugbrooke who are one point behind them in the league and are the only team in the league to have beaten Stockwood this season and the clash will probably decide who are crowned champions.
Fellow Luton side Vauxhall Motors were hammered 70-0 at home by Deepings.
This Saturday Vauxhall host Brackley.
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
