Although no league points were at stake, this was always going to be a fierce, brutal battle for the local rivals who over the years have enjoyed a tempestuous relationship. Atherstone fielded a team which blended youth and experience and which provided the opportunity for players transitioning to the senior game to get a taste of the passion this local derby always evokes.

Despite a good start by the home side it was Park that got the first points as continued infringements from the men in black gave them a scrum five metres out. The Park pack drove their opponents over the line. The successful conversion gave them a seven point lead. The home side had the opportunity to cut the deficit with a penalty kick to the posts however the kick was unsuccessful.

For the remainder of the half both teams vied for possession and territory, both defending well and launching attacks on their opponent’s scoring territory however it was not until the closing stages of the match that the men in black opened their account. Sustained pressure was finally rewarded when Dean Guy forced his way over the line for an unconverted try. With minutes remaining on the clock, Park were awarded a penalty within kicking range and elected to go for the post however the kick went wide leaving the score at 5-7 at the half-time break.

For much of the second half neither the men in black nor their visitors were able to gain any advantage as unforced errors and infringements stemmed any point scoring platforms created. John Perry, captaining the team for the day, was instrumental in creating Atherstone’s first score of the second forty. His quick thinking from a Park knock-on saw him kick the ball deep into Park’s territory. The Park full-back fumbled the ball allowing Perry to quickly drop on it. Cameron Brotherhood was on hand to take the ball 60 metres out. Brotherhood stepped on the gas and despite being chased by two Park players, kept his cool and torpedoed towards the line to touch down for his first senior try for the club much to the elation of the home crowd. The try went unconverted to bring the score to 10 – 7. Park responded with a converted try which came from good hard forward work putting them four points ahead.

The Ratcliffe Road outfit were far from beaten as the applied pressure on their visitors. Park looked to have cleared the danger with a turn over ball inside their 22 however the clearance kick was charged down with Guy catching the wayward ball and forcing his way over for an unconverted try. With the score at 15-14 and with minutes being left on the clocked it seemed to have been job done for the men in black however Park were handed a final opportunity to kick a penalty to steal the victory. The kick was unsuccessful the ball to be kicked into touch for the final whistle.