Canterbury 17 Rosslyn Park 57

Needing a four-try win to ensure a place in the play-offs, Park started uphill and against the wind.

But it looked to be a degree of edginess that held them back in the early stages, rather than the elements.

They started well enough, attacking play being rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts, gratefully converted by Ross Laidlaw for 3-0.

But Canterbury, roundly thrashed at Roehampton earlier in the season, played as if they had a point to prove and appeared determined to make it while conditions were in their favour.

They soon hit back with a good run from winger Melford, who found fly-half Best running outside him in support to crash over and an excellent touchline conversion from Masters made it 7-3 to the home side.

Park had a clear edge up front, and defended well when they had to, but they were not at this stage really stamping their authority on the game, and turning it into points.

It was Canterbury who had the next chance, a penalty at the very limit of Masters’ range, which he could not quite make.

That seemed to nudge the visitors into a higher gear, enjoying far more possession and the forwards exerting pressure on the home defences.

On 19 minutes, it paid off when skipper Rob Jewell got over with opponents hanging off him.

The home side felt that he had not got the ball down, but the touch judge confirmed the try. Laidlaw added the conversion.

But Park still could not entirely shake off the spirited home side, who equalised the scores with a 31st-minute penalty by Masters, when the visitors were caught offside.

The visitors had more possession and territory, but this was not reflected on the scoreboard.

With the interval approaching Park were awarded a doddle of a penalty in front of the posts, but Laidlaw spurned the offer of three points to kick to the corner.

From the resulting throw, Park set up the catch and drive and stout resistance could not stop veteran hooker Chris Ritchie from crashing over.

Laidlaw added the extras, and Park turned round at 17-10, the job at least half done.

A dream start to the second half saw Park again get a kickable penalty, again it was kicked to the corner and this time it was powerful lock Steve Pape who forced his way over, Laidlaw converting for 24-10.

But just as it looked as if Park might break loose, it was the home side who scored next, hoofing a penalty to touch in the Park 22.

It looked as if the situation had been successfully defended, but Park somehow lost control of the ball and home flanker Rogers swooped, Masters putting his side well back in it – at least in terms of the score - with a conversion for 24-17.

That was the signal for Park to really assert themselves and, suddenly, Canterbury were simply taken apart with a devastating spell of attacking rugby.

Good forward play went deep into the home 22 before the ball was released to the right, then switched to the left for the deadly Paul Unseld to pounce.

Two minutes later, the speedy winger struck again and with Laidlaw adding conversions it was all over at 38-17.

Park continued to run riot. The pack drove on for Pape to score his second try out wide on the right to make it three tries in less than 10 minutes.

Still Park attacked and Marc Sweeney scored under the posts.

Unseld’s hat-trick finished things off and it was a try worthy of crowning any match.

Taking a great long pass at speed, he was brought down, regained his feet without losing control of the ball and was still able to use his pace to streak to the line.

Laidlaw’s seventh successful conversion brought the final score of 57-17.

Park: Davies; Sweeney, Jewell (Simmons), O’Driscoll, Unseld; Laidlaw; Chilten (Barr); Huggett (Lahiff), Ritchie, Collier; Quigley (A Jones), Pape; M Jones, Barratt (Anayi), Lock

Park scorers: Unseld (3T), Pape (2T), Jewell (T), Ritchie (T), Sweeney (T), Laidlaw (P, 7C)