Watkins goes over twice as Park breeze past poor Fylde

AFTER a somewhat shaky start, Rosslyn Park rallied to come away with an important bonus-point victory at home to Fylde.

The visitors were extremely clinical early on, racing out into a 14-0 lead courtesy of impressive scores from back-row pair of Ben Vernon and David Fairbrother.

Both scores were well converted by fly-half Greg Smith.

However, Rosslyn Park were unfazed and struck back before half-time after Fylde lost full-back Warren Spragg to the sin bin on 25 minutes.

Josh Watkins sneaked over for the hosts on 32 minutes to reduce the deficit before Harry Leonard’s grubber kick resulted in a 60m breakaway try finished off well by Park’s Rhys Crane. A charged-down conversion, however, meant Fylde still led 14-12 at half time.

With the wind behind their backs for the second 40, Rosslyn Park roared on with a much-improved display.

Another Watkins try, after a series of pick and gos from the forwards close to the Fylde line, put Park into the lead for the first time in the match.

Leonard’s successful conversion and subsequent penalty put his side in firm control.

While the visitors did pull a try back through a ruthless catch and drive lineout which was eventually touched down by second row Jack Turley, they missed the conversion