Rosslyn Park commit the deadly sin of going down to 14 men (From Sutton Guardian)

Park pay the penalty to lose ground at the top of National League One

3:27pm Wednesday 19th December 2012 in Sport By Tim Ashton

Rosslyn Park head coach Jan Bonney says they paid a heavy price at Blaydon for losing a man to the sin bin.

With the top of the table National League One clash still pointless, Park prop Lorne Ward was shown a yellow card, and Blaydon took full advantage running in three converted tries for a 21-0 lead.

But with their full quota back on the pitch, Park restricted Blaydon to one more score, while they fought back through two Charlie Broughton tries, efforts from Hugo Ellis and Nev Edwards, and a Mike Hamilton conversion – but in the end, Park had to settle for two bonus points from a 28-22 defeat.

Bonney said: “They scored three tries while we had a man in the sin bin and only one when we didn’t, that tells you everything.

“All credit to the players for keeping going. At 28-5, we continued to push on and got those bonus points, which could still prove important.”

Park host leaders Ealing Trailfinders this weekend in the final game before the Christmas break.

“We’re seven points behind Ealing and we’re confident we can put in a performance and get something from the game and get back near the top again – confident, that is, if we can keep 15 players on the field.”

Bonney says he has a full squad at his disposal for the vital Ealing clash.

Park return after the new year with a trip to Cinderford on January 5.