Shelford 3 Rosslyn Park 42

This was probably Rosslyn Park’s best performance of the season, made all the better by the fact that Shelford were not at all a bad side.

Earlier in the season, in ankle-deep Roehampton mud, the Cambridge side lost only to a last-minute penalty.

On this firmer surface, Park imposed their quick-passing running game and the home side, despite glimpses of real ability, were never really in with a chance.

Park made their customary high-speed start, coming at the opposition from all angles.

The forwards created a firm base for operations and, with superb support running and fast accurate passing, the backs soon had Shelford chasing shadows.

After five minutes of relentless attack, switching the ball from side to side, Richard Davies prominent in the move against his old club, the ball was moved wide on the left for Paul Unseld to use his pace to score for 5-0.

Shelford showed they had no intention of just making up the numbers, with a good attack that forced Park to concede a penalty for full-back Ed Gough to reduce the arrears to 5-3.

The riposte from Park was quick and deadly. The ball was again shipped wide to Unseld, who raced towards the line and, when closed down, off-loaded to Davies who completed a peach of a try.

Shelford still looked a threat when they had the ball, right wing Phil Bullen-Brown showed great pace to nearly score but was brought back for an earlier penalty, and their scrum-half Shingai Chiwanga made a pretty good meal from being fed scraps.

But Park were relentless, despite losing Adam Gates to an early injury, and another dizzying attack brought a penalty in front of the posts, which Ross Laidlaw slotted over for 13–3 after 21 minutes.

Park’s third try, soon after, was worth the admission charge on its own.

James Strong made a superb dart up the right wing, timing his off-load to full-back Davies to perfection.

The full-back changed the angle, sprinting inside before releasing the killer pass for Marc Sweeney to gallop over at top speed.

Laidlaw added a conversion and it was 20-3.

Shelford had certainly not given up, and a sustained attack forced Park to show that their attacking prowess was based on a sound defence.

Park eventually turned over possession, only for the home side to hoof it back into the corner near the Park line.

Park weathered some intense pressure before successfully turning a scrum.

Steve Pape broke away and Sweeney took the ball on before it was lost just short of line.

Park still had the final say in the half, with another super attack up the right.

They switched direction for Unseld to sprint into the 22 and when the ball was whipped across the middle Shelford were penalised for Laidlaw to make it 23-3 at the interval.

It didn’t take long for Park to establish a similar pattern in the second half and after seven minutes, with the complicity of some poor defending, Laidlaw sprinted through the middle from 40m out to bring up the bonus point, converting his own effort for 30-3.

It was the only serious mistake Shelford made all afternoon, except – possibly – in turning up.

Park began to make substitutions but it did not disturb the pattern of play one iota, for which the coaches deserve much credit.

The fifth try was another belter, the ball was worked wide on the right and Strong simply pinned back his ears and rocketed to the line for 35-3.

Shelford were still gamely playing some good rugby, and an excellent kick forced Park back to their own 22, but they defended impeccably and the pace of their counter-attack, both in running and speed of handling was more than the home team could live with.

Strong embarked on another electrifying run, the ball was worked inside and Howard Quigley loped in to bring up 40.

With Laidlaw off the field, it was left to Davies to inflict further punishment with the conversion.

Shelford still summoned the effort to try to get at least a try, but a quick break by winger Dominic Jones was soon stifled and it was Park who very nearly added to the score.

Twice Strong was stopped for forward passes, with the line at his mercy, the second of which looked at best a marginal decision.

But all in all a superb performance by Park against a team who are a lot better than the League table suggests.

They now have a week off – and next Saturday their title rivals Ealing and Barking have to play each other. The title race is hotting up.

Park: Davies; Strong, Sweeney, Jewell, Unseld; Chilten (Barr); Laidlaw (O’Driscoll); Huggett, Ritchie (Tauialo), Collier (Daw); Quigley, Pape; Gates (M Jones), Barrett, Lock.

Park scorers: Laidlaw (T, 2P, 2C), Davies (T, C), Unseld (T), Sweeney (T), Strong (T), Quigley (T).