Park’s three league points from this thrilling match see them rise to third in National 1, two points behind the leaders.

Playing down the slope and with a strong wind at their backs, Rosslyn Park looked like running away with the match in the early stages. It was all Park early on, culminating in Mike Macfarlane getting over the try-line on 7 minutes, converted by Greg Lound for 7-0.

The lead was doubled as Pak’s incessant attacks paid off again and it was fly-half Lound who grabbed the try on 13 minutes, converting his own effort.

Chinnor were battling hard to gain some possession, and were rewarded when fly half Caolan Ryan slotted over a penalty for 14-3 on 16 minutes.

The lead was further narrowed when another penalty seven minutes later, winger Craig Holland taking over kicking duties from the injured Ryan, making it 14-6.

Chinnor were perceptibly coming back into the match and were boosted on 29 minutes when flanker Tom Bordill grabbed a try, converted by Holland for 14-13.

Park steadied the ship with a catch and drive move that saw number 8 Dan Laventure touch down, Lound converting for 21-13.

However, following some scrappy play Holland slotted over a penalty for the home side two minutes before the interval. A lead of 21-16 looked desperately narrow as Park went out to face the elements in the second half.

Chinnor made a big start and after three minutes Holland grabbed a try, converted by himself, and then added a penalty five minutes later to turn the tide in Chinnor’s favour at 26-21.

Things got worse for Park when home lock Ben Thomas got on the end of a maul, Holland converting for 33-21 with 23 minutes remaining.

However, Park forced their way back into commanding proceedings and a great move up the right was finished off by Adam Frampton getting over the line, Lound’s conversion going in off the post for 33-28 on 63 minmutes.

Chinnor were now defending for all they were worth, but looked to have got away with it until one further all-out assault on their line. Chinnor conceded a penalty in front of their posts, but Park played the advantage, floating a beautiful kick over to the right wing, where winger Nev Edwards used his speed, strength and balance to break despairing tackles and take the score to 33-33.

This left Lound a conversion attempt to win the match with the last kick. It was nigh on impossible from out wide and into a strong gusting wind. He looked to have nailed it, but his celebrations proved premature as a gust stopped it just short of the posts.

Rosslyn Park’s players have a weekend off next week to avoid a clash with the England v New Zealand match, but return to action the following Saturday with a local Derby against Esher.