Bugbrooke 19 Stockwood Park 15

Stockwood Park's pack was given a torrid time by Bugbrooke's forward as the home side put themselves in pole position to claim the Midlands Three East South claim with a 19-15 victory on Saturday.

The Northamptonshire side completed the double over Stockwood to leapfrog over them into top place in the table and remain the only side to have beaten already-promoted Park in the league.

Park performed well but were given a torrid time at the lineout and in the scrums.

Bugbrooke opened the score after half an hour when, after pressurising Park's line, they finally breached the visitors' defence and one of thier centres touched down for a converted try.

Up until then Stockwood had matched their opponents in every phase of the game, with their backs having made some fine breaks.

Their tackling was also superb, with centre Alex Hunter excelling.

A lapse in the midfield, though, allowed Bugbrooke's dangerous right winger to slice through the Luton side's defence before feeding their opposite winger to score a simple converted try and make it 14-0.

Stockwwood's young side battled back, and finished the half the stronger.

A penalty went awry, while two fine moves were thwarted by wayward final passes.

Park finally got themselves on the scoresheet 10 minutes into the second half with a try from Jeremy Fournier, converted by skipper Steve Pollock.

The visitors' forward showed great tenacity before finally releasing their backs down the blindside, with Founier beating several defenders before crashing over.

Stockwood enjoyed their best period of the game and narrowed the score further when Jamie Newell crossed for an unconverted score.

With the difference just two points, both teams were playing tremendous running rugby.

However, with less than 10 minutes to go a five metre scrum close to Stockwood's line was turned over by the now dominant Bugbrooke pack and their number eight broke away to score an unconverted try.

Pollock responded with a penalty but it wasn't quite enough for battling Park.

Stockwood trail Bugbrooke by just one point, but will need to win their last three games and hope the leaders slip up if they are to snacth the title.

This Saturday Stockwood entertain Bedford Swifts in the semi-finals of the Bedfordshire Cup, kick off 2.30pm.