A Civil Service side fielding several streetwise Kiwi players gave Staines a lesson in controlled direct rugby at Dukes Meadow on Saturday, writes Tony Brightwell.

Staines, notoriously slow starters, were behind after a few minutes when failure to find touch was punished by a converted try.

Park edged their way back into the game with fly-half Richard Mahony’s two penalties making it 7-6.

Then the referee made his mark on the game with the first of four yellow cards, dispatching Staines hooker Shanahan to the sin bin.

This period proved critical as Staines’ seven forwards struggled to contain the Civil Service eight and two converted tries left them 19-6 behind at half-time.

No sooner had Staines been restored to 15 players at the start of the second half that second row Rob Walker was sent to the bin.

Civil Service quickly capitalised again to move 24-6 ahead.

Although the official subsequently yellow-carded two home players, the damage from a Staines perspective had been done.

Staines pressed in the final quarter, but another Mahony penalty was their only reward.

Staines host Ruislip, one of just two unbeaten sides in the league, this Saturday in a match which doubles up as they delayed Middlesex Cup final.