Rugby Union: Rosslyn Park take the derby bragging rights off Esher

Park's win keeps them second in the National League One table, nine points off leaders Ealing Trailfinders - however, defeat for third placed Coventry gives Park a 10-point cushion over their Midlands rivals.

Playing into a strong breeze, Park constantly ran the ball at Esher and gained an early reward in the form of a penalty, which was hammered to touch.

A concerted attack saw hooker Tom Woolstencroft get over in the left corner for 5-0 with only three minutes on the clock.

Such was the influence of the wind that by the time Scott Sneddon’s brave conversion attempt had reached its apex it was already blowing backwards.

No such problems for home fly half Ian Cross when Park, attempting a break through Nev Edwards, were pinged for crossing, and he floated the penalty kick perfectly for 5-3.

Twisting and turning: Rosslyn Park’s David Vincent leads an attack in the derby win at Esher

Esher very nearly presented Park with an interception try before winger Dave Vincent charged through the middle to gain a penalty in front of the posts, which Sneddon converted into points for 8-3.

Another super run by Vincent took Park into the Esher 22.

They could not quite get over, but the referee was playing a penalty advantage, which they eventually kicked to the corner.

From the throw the ball was whipped across to the middle, then back out wide where winger Kiba Richards came onto the ball at pace to get over for 13-3 on 15 minutes. Sneddon’s conversion was again blown off course.

Esher tried to mount attacks but constantly found them strangled at birth by Park’s strong and committed midfield tackling.

The aerial route was more profitable for them in terms of territory, but inevitably they found themselves soon defending a counter-move.

Park constantly looked dangerous but after camping on the home line they were let down by an error at the line-out. A great attack went right to the line, only to lose the ball at the resulting 5-metre scrum.

Esher were feeding off scraps, but a penalty on 33 minutes by Cross kept them in the match at 13-6.

Just as it looked as if that would be the half-time score, Esher got caught offside on half-way. Park put together a good move – Edwards prominent – which ended with flanker Mike Macfarlane scoring against his former club for 18-6.

Mark Ireland spearheads the attack

However, the wind took a 3-1 lead over Sneddon in the kicking contest.

The second half started with Park exploiting the advantage with a big kick to the corner, but Esher won the ball.

Park were soon back with a flowing attack, but muffed the final pass to set up a glorious interception for Esher centre Joe Brown, who sprinted to the posts.

Full-back Alastair Chisholm wellied over the conversion for 18-13 to put Esher right back in the contest on 46 minutes.

Heads raised, Esher had their first spell of genuine pressure but Park did not allow their error to shake their composure.

The home side were eventually undone by conceding a penalty on the Park 22 and Sneddon exploited the now favourable elements to kick to touch just 10 metres from the Esher line.

Esher looked distinctly dispirited as they trudged back to defend. Park kept up the pressure and Macfarlane bagged his second try, converted by Sneddon, to take the four-try bonus and a 25-13 lead on 53 minutes.

Park returned to the attack and when Esher conceded a penalty, in midfield in line with the posts, Sneddon kicked successfully for the three points that left Esher needing more than two converted tries in the final 19 minutes.

But it was always Park who looked more likely to score. A terrific charge up the wing by Kiba Richards saw him isolated and penalised having reached the 22.

The forwards soon took charge and a drive to the line saw skipper Hugo Ellis add another try to his tally, Sneddon nailing a super conversion for 35-13 on 67 minutes.

Luke Carter, on at scrum half, made a super dash through the middle to reach the 22. A penalty to the corner saw Park mess up at the line-out when a further score seemed likely.

Esher to their credit tried desperately to salvage pride with another score of their own, but when they tried to take a quick tap penalty and dropped the ball to knock-on it clearly just was not their afternoon.