Rosslyn Park 13 Plymouth Albion 41 Though the history books will show this result as a comprehensive win for the visitors, scorelines never quite tell the whole story, writes Bernard Wiggins.

Nevertheless, let it be said that Plymouth Albion were the better side, a stone a man advantage up front resulted in Park being totally outscrummaged, which was the vital factor in the visitors' victory.

Referee Stuart Terheeque did not help matters with some incomprehensible interpretations of the laws, not least the sin binning of Lysander Strong, who had been a thorn in Plymouth's side, a decision that had an inevitable consequence in the outcome of the match as during his enforced absence the visitors racked up 17 points in what had been up to that moment a close contest.

With the score at 3-3 after 21 minutes, Strong took his ten minutes on the sideline only to return with the scoreline at 3-20. Park made it 8-20 in the 33rd minute with a drive into the 22, Hibbert setting the backs away for No 8 Ben Thirlwall to link on the right touchline and force his way over.

Just before the break Park suffered a heartbreaker, losing possession on halfway and Andy Perry, the Plymouth second row, showed an amazing turn of speed to race 50 metres and go in under the posts.

With it all to do in the second half Park did get a try after Justice had fired a penalty into the 22. From the lineout, neat play amongst the forwards kept the maul going and Plymouth were driven over their own line, Charlie Keenan emerging from a forest of bodies to receive congratulations from his team-mates.

Park gave everything they had and more, but two further penalties gave Chris Atkinson a haul of 21 points and at the death a very tired Park conceded a fourth try.

Rosslyn Park may be down, but they are not out. In the final few matches those teams above have some very difficult fixtures and the relegation issue may yet not be settled until the last minute of the last match.