Bradford & Bingley relief as late kick goes wide

A sliced conversion which sailed to the left of the posts was ultimately the difference between the sides in a game too close for comfort for the Bees, although they enjoyed the lion’s share of territory and possession throughout.

The first half saw the Wagon Lane side on top but somehow the teams turned round only separated by a single score.

Park were on the scoresheet in the fourth minute as Langlands burrowed over but next quarter was dominated by the home side.

Excellent defensive work frustrated Henry Paul’s side until the 18th minute when man of the match Chris Fisher burrowed under the Park defensive line near the posts.

Almost straight from the kick-off the Bees were back on the scoresheet as Richard Scull picked up a ball from a ruck and fed Adam Wellington, who charged home from 40 metres out. Scull added the extras but, for all the Bees’ dominance, they could not improve the score beyond 12-5.

Park closed the gap two minutes into the second half when Toby Davidson reached the line.

The hosts responded with good pressure, which saw Adam Malthouse burst clear from a maul to dot down.

Park replied as a kick from Richard Tafa was intercepted and Olly Walker ran in a five-pointer.

At 17-15, with nearly half an hour to play, it looked as if the Bees might rue their inability to convert their first-half dominance.

However, the Bees were next on the scoresheet as Malthouse broke from a scrum to claim his second try.

Park pressed but the hosts held on until the final minute when Jack Davidson crossed the whitewash to the left of the posts. If the try had been converted it would have meant a third drawn game at Wagon Lane but it wasn’t and Bees deservedly claimed the spoils.