Old Albanian beat Rosslyn Park in close run game

Old Albanian’s defence proved the most effective as they came out on top 18-13 against Rosslyn Park at Woollams.

It was Park’s fourth loss of the season and came after a titanic struggle up front which, to be fair, could have gone either way.

But this made it three wins from four for OAs on their return to National One, and they find themselves in fourth place.

The wind blew strongly from the south and could have materially affected play; neither side took the elements into consideration and out of hand kicking was largely absent.

A large penalty count disrupted whatever flow the match might have had and both coaches will be having words with their charges midweek to eradicate respective failings.

OAs had the advantage in the tight against bigger opponents but, for the most part, both sides held their own in the line-out.

After a scoreless first 20 minutes visiting fly-half Harry Leonard, who was to score all his side’s points, opened with a penalty and converted his own try six minutes short of half time.

Chris Lombaard crashed over for the hosts at the break despite two of his comrades being in the sinbin at the time.

Chris May’s penalty closed the gap further with Park’s Harry Broadbent now in the bin.

And this turned to an OAs advantage when Billy Johnson broke from a short penalty and Jimmy Speirs danced behind the posts.

May converted safely and he cancelled out Leonard’s final penalty with one of his own with six minutes to go.