Rosslyn Park head coach James Buckland heaped praise on his young stars after last weekend’s win over Wharfedale, but he also demanded more.
With injuries and unavailability ruling out a selection of his senior players, Buckland recalled prop Nick Lovell and winger Stephen Hihetah from their loan spell at East Grinstead, with Charlie Piper handed a first start of the season at hooker.
Tries from Adam Frampton, Hugo Ellis, Adam Field and Tom Whiteley, who also kicked three conversions, was enough to secure a 26-15 win and keep Park in the top six of National League One.
Park are now unbeaten in three games, and sit only four points off top spot – which is held by Esher, Park’s hosts this weekend.
Buckland said: “We’ve got some young guys at half-back and they’re expected to make big decisions in a split-second, and they made some really good ones.
“We know, though, that we only played in patches today. Yes, we have got the bonus point, which is obviously very important, but we need much more.”
He added: “A number of boys in the group needed minutes, and a number of those were on the bench today.
“We took a bit of a gamble in emptying the bench all in one go, with the aim of giving those boys time to gel.
“That didn’t quite work out, but we’ve learnt plenty and we move on.”
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