Rosslyn Park took a narrow victory at the Rock as Plymouth Albion took two points from their opening game of the season.
Albion got off to a rapid start when Shea Cornish picked off an errant Rosslyn Park pass, before running to score. Tom Putt added the extras. Rosslyn’s response was instant though – Josh Adams latching onto a superb kick in behind to get the London side back in the contest.
Rosslyn’s other winger Charlie Walker ran over following some solid work to put Rosslyn ahead and, as Albion pushed for a response of their own, a mistake allowed Adams to run halfway down the field to grab the hosts’ third.
Albion pulled one back through Seta Raumakita following some consistent pressure in the Rosslyn half, with the centre reaching over to score before Putt converted once more.
The Janners found themselves in the lead towards the end of the half through Sam Daly’s try after a driving maul, but three points were pulled back by Rosslyn when Tom Wilstead slotted a penalty.
Mountainous pressure from the boys in green paid off early doors in the second period; Harry Wilkinson quintessentially driving over from a maul.
Park went over the whitewash shortly after following a maul of their own, and they doubled down a couple of minutes later when Josh Adams grabbed his hattrick after some good attacking play.
Putt grabbed three points back for Albion with just over an hour gone to bring them back to within five, but Rosslyn Park further extended their advantage when Joe Luca Smith ran over.
Cornish latched onto a neat pass out by Phil Jones to pull one back, but it was not enough to take victory as Rosslyn held on.
Rosslyn Park:
Sam Garvey, Charlie Piper, Austin Hay, Jordan Martin, Henry Spencer, Matt Bolwell, Arthur Ellis, Jacob Wrafter, Ewan Fenley, Tom Wilstead, Josh Addams, Matt Gordon, Patrick Kelly, Charlie Walker, James Stokes
Replacements: Isaac Miller, Ali Wade, Will Burton, Luke Baldwin, Joe Luca Smith
Plymouth Albion:
Dan Pullinger, Harry Wilkinson, Jenson Boughton, Dan Collier, Brad Howe, Angus Hodges, Torin Clarke, Sam Daly, Jack Oulton, Tom Putt, Pita Ratukadreu, Archie Hill, Seta Raumakita, Shea Cornish, Craig Duncan
Replacements: Tom Cowan-Dickie, Ramaz Rukhadze, Gabe Mead, Phil Jones, Sonny Hirini
