Park hosted our neighbours Old Cooperians on a day that started off with the late October sun warm on the backs of Romford’s faithful, but ended cloudy and cold. So cold that after the game we all had to go to the bar, just to warm up. It did not help that the game lasted longer than usual due to the number of on pitch injuries. Park players were falling down like playing cards. Our excellent physio Paul was exhausted, and had to summon a limo service to drive him round the pitch.

The game started slowly, with Park making good progress through the pack, but we gave away too many penalties. So Coopers recovered the ground, and took an early lead 0-3. Park’s pack were dominant throughout the game, and soon replied through a fine rolling maul, all the way from a line out at the 22. Paul Webb scored, and George Smith squeezed the ball over from the touchline. 7-3.

When Coopers kicked the ball, Logan Petrie’s acceleration from full back was a constant menace, and this led to Park’s second try. Logan ran the ball up to the 22 on the right, Park recycled through two quick phases with the pack, and then the backs sent the ball smartly through the hands for Jack Rickwood to score in the corner. 12-3.

Coopers pulled one back to leave the score 12-10 at half time – though Park were again indebted to the back three for doubling back at speed to prevent Coopers from scoring an interception try.

Early in the second half, Park spent a long time in the Coopers half, but we failed to capitalize on our good field position. Our indiscipline still lets us down, and Dwayne Lyn was binned. Eventually it was Cooper who opened the scoring, when they got a kickable penalty and took the lead 12-13.

Our pack soon took us down to the Coopers end. Adrian Mersh had a great game, carrying tirelessly from the ruck. Micky James then managed to score a crucial try and get himself binned at the same time. It made no sense even when he explained it in the bar. You will have to buy some shoes in Romford market to understand. And even then …

The Grey Wolf was absent today on yodelling practice, so George Smith JVC was captain. Looking for the fourth try, he now twice called for a scrum from a penalty under the posts, with Park only six points in the lead. It didn’t work the first time, and George owes Cam Petrie a drink because he dived over from the second. Park were now 24-13 in the lead, and the Tony Healy supporters club on the touchline were in full cry.

This try knocked the stuffing out of Coopers, who also had a man binned. Park sensed that their opponents were tiring, and recycled the ball faster than removal vans in Downing Street. Barley Snaffle wriggled round one man and under another to score. And Joe Ganley, who had a good outing at wing, got on the end of some quick hands in the backs to end the game.

The game was less clear cut than the final score of 36-13 suggests. There were a handful of points in it for much of the match, and Park’s indiscipline kept Coopers in the game. Still, Park did well to take their chances at the end. Even Director of Rugby Steve Barfoot was seen smiling briefly, and Jolly Victorious Captain George Smith led off a happy team.