Rosslyn Park made it two wins in a row with a 12-9 London South West Three victory over newly promoted Clifton on Saturday.

Two sides at the foot of the table fought out a penalty duel at Roehampton. Both had opportunities to win, but it wasn't until the final minute of the match that the game was decided.

Clifton were extremely well marshalled by fly-half John Barnes, whose left foot was as cultured as his more illustrious football namesake.

Time and again much effort by the Park pack and centres was punished by lost possession and a relieving kick that put the home side back where they started, and sometimes beyond.

Both sides looked as though something might happen with the ball in hand, but the final pass often went astray, and neither side looked like crossing the line, the visitors being the more guilty in this respect.

It was likewise often the case that each side after sterling work, contrived to put their own side in trouble, and initial evidence of this came as early as the second minute when Martin Ridley rescued a dangerous position in the home 22, but the relieving kick was charged down and Barnes' drop goal attempt went wide from in front. Cue huge sighs of relief from the home support!

Park then gained good ground, forcing an offence and Richard Mahony put the first points on the board in the 14th minute with a simple penalty, but, after 25 minutes, the scores were tied when Barnes slotted an identical earned penalty from in front.

When Marcus McCluggage forced an error on halfway, Park were down into the Clifton redzone, only for the referee to penalise them for a ruck offence, such was the pattern of the game. On the stroke of half time, Park conceded a penalty to 5m out, a hasty drop goal looked to have gone over, but nevertheless, a penalty was awarded and Barnes made it 3-6 at the break.

The second half was similar in many respects to the first, save that Park seemed to change tactics and started to run directly at the Clifton defence.

This produced results in the 19th minute, too much pressure forcing the visitors to go offside in front of the posts and Mahony made no mistake and the scores were tied at 6-6.

Park were extremely fortunate in the 27th minute when Clifton broke and made ground to 5m out and the inevitable penaty was awarded.

Cue more huge sighs of relief when the unlucky Barnes shaved the outside of the upright.

Yet another Clifton offence in the ruck in the 34th minute gave Mahony a chance from the 40m line, and with unerring accuracy and an excellent kick, Park took the lead 9-6.

There was a certain ineviability that the lead would not be maintained, it was that sort of a game, and sure enough a minute from the end of normal time Park infringed and Barnes, this time from the "right" side of the pitch for a left footed player, bisected the uprights to draw the scores level.

It was now just a question of who if anyone, would commit the crucial offence.

Clifton had a chance to win the match in the first minute of injury time, the closest either side had come to scoring, a great break down the right, but the final pass was knock forward and Park cleared.

If either side has managed to hang onto the ball for long enough, the denouement would never have arisen, but 6 minutes into injury time, on the visitors 10m line Referee Mr Kimber blew for a final penalty.

It was a difficult shot, 50m if you include the angle, but this was Mahony's day as the ball was sweetly struck through the posts.

With seconds to go, the restart, a flurry of hands to a loose ball, the whistle blown, relief at a visiting knock on, the whistle blown again, no side.

Not much of a win for Park, but down in the basement, a win is a win, however it is gained.

Park: King; Lear, Paul, Ridley, R Jackson; Mahony; McCluggage; Daw, Blemings, Wells; Ryan, Gibson; Blankley (Cable 54), Rodman, Underwood (Street 77) Subs not used: Small, Jackson Scorers: Mahony - four penalties