Forward thinking Park eye top four finish (From Streatham Guardian)

Forward thinking Park eye top four finish

8:20am Tuesday 6th March 2012 in Rosslyn Park

Jan Bonney is already planning for next season by asking his Rosslyn Park squad to end this season on a high, writes James Haggis.

Having been in the promotion race at the turn of the year, Park saw their hopes of promotion dwindle after four straight defeats and are now fighting for a top-four finish.

Saturday's 19-19 draw with Coventry put them ahead of Macclesfield and back into fourth, which is the target Bonney has now set his squad.

"We just have to keep pressing and trying to stay in the top four," he said.

"Hopefully, that will stand us in good stead for next season.

"We have to find our performance as when we keep hold of the ball we are a good side.

"We had a bit of a hiccup but we got a win last week and a draw this week so confidence has been alright in the team."

Despite leaving with a draw on Saturday, Park, who go to Stourbridge this weekend, were disappointed having thrown away a 12-point lead.

They were made to pay for yellow cards to Dan Richmond and Ben Gotting despite tries from Mile Mantella, Ross Laidlaw and Harry Rowland and an impressive appearance at scrum half by Sam Edgerley.

"Silly penalties put us in bad positions," added Bonney. "It is always really difficult to play with 14 men but to do it for 20 minutes in a game is really, really hard.

"The yellow cards were both deserved, neither of them were intentional, but they were both yellow card offences."

"Sam is a good young player and he has not long moved from the wing to number nine and he gives us a different option there.

"He is a really talented player."