By Paddy Von Behr

Rosslyn Park may have made a winning start to the new National Division One campaign, but head coach Alex Codling believes the title is Doncaster Knights’ to lose.

Henry Staff, David Vincent and Harlequins on-loan teenager Jordan Burns all went over as Park defeated Richmond 26-15, a week after beginning the season with an 11-6 victory away to Cinderford.

Park are one of six teams in the division to have won their first two games with Coventry sitting on top, having beaten Hull Ionians 41-12 and Cinderford 38-13.

Doncaster, relegated from the Championship last season, are second, but Codling is not looking any further than them for the crown.

“You won’t get promotion in this league, Doncaster will have this league wrapped up by Christmas,” said Codling.

“They are a full-time professional team, our aim is just to improve as a team. I have never said we are going to win it and we won’t win it.

“But we will just work hard and improve and there were improvements against Richmond, but we still have plenty to work on.

“I still think we probably left three or four tries on the table if we’re honest. I still think we tried to force it too much in the red zone.”

Two Sam Katz penalties and a conversion of Staff’s opening try had Rosslyn Park 13-0 ahead after 20 minutes before Tom Platt and Louis Grimoldby brought it back to 13-10. Platt touched down and Grimoldby converted and slotted a penalty before half-time, but after the break came another Katz penalty and tries from Burns and Vincent.

Chris Davies scored for Richmond in between Burns and Vincent’s efforts, but it was not enough, although Codling was frustrated Park did not build on their fast start.

"When we went 13-0 up there’s always that chance to push on and go two scores up and we just made some simple errors,” he added.

“We dropped off a couple of tackles and we just turned the ball over again too cheaply.

“Richmond showed huge spirit and passion.”

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