Rosslyn Park remain fourth in National League One after a resounding 50-3 trouncing of Wharfedale at Priory Lane.

Nev Edwards (two), Charles Broughton, Lorne Ward, Luke Campbell, Will Bigley and Dan Mugford crossed the whitewash – Mugford also added a drop goal - while Sam Katz added 15 points with the boot.

Wharfedale started brightly, clearly keen to repeat their success earlier in the season, when a string of victories had taken Park to the top of the table only to crash to a surprise defeat on the sloping Threshfields pitch.

Both sides had promising attacks, but it came as no surprise when it was Park who made one tell after 20 minutes.

Awarded a penalty just shy of half way, fly half Mugford belted it to within 10 metres of the Wharfedale line for a line-out. Wharfedale weathered that, but the pressure was now really on and Park produced a superb move across the pitch for winger Edwards to come onto the ball and arc around the defence for a try, converted by full-back Katz.

Park returned to the attack, Wharfedale put together a good counter-move through the middle but were easily stopped.

The home side ratcheted up the pressure with a sweeping move into the 22 and, although initially halted, they managed to recycle the ball out wide on the right for winger Broughton to get over, Katz nailing a good conversion for 14-0 on 28 minutes.

Surrey Comet: Rosslyn Park - Lorne Ward

Lorne Ward goes over for Park    Picture: David Whittam

Wharfedale put together a good counter-move on the break to earn a penalty on the edge of the Park 22, and fly half Tom Barrett put his side on the board and back into the match at 14-3 within five minutes of the interval.

Their hopes of a comeback were all but extinguished when a superb run from inside his own half by centre Steve Parsons defied attempts to tackle him and ran the ball to within 12 metres of the visitors’ line.

The ball was shipped to the right to giant prop Lorne Ward, and nothing could stop him from going over at that sort of range. A magnificent wide conversion from Katz brought half-time at 21-3.

The Dalesmen were left playing catch-up rugby in the second half, but trying to fling the ball around and to run it only played into Park’s hands, and the second half rapidly became the Dan Mugford show.

Eight minutes into the half Park won a scrum deep into enemy territory and, receiving the ball, Mugford ran a super line to cruise in between the posts to secure the four-try bonus point and give Katz an easy conversion for 28-3.

The fly half followed this up with a high speed break and, with players outside him, chose instead to pass inside where flanker Campbell galloped over to give Katz an easier conversion. Ironically it was the only kick the full back missed all afternoon, instead hitting the post.

Wharfedale had given everything, but were now out on their feet. Edwards conjured a superb individual try from inside his own half. He looked to have skinned his marker, but stopped momentarily at the next tackler only to accelerate away and sprint to the line. Katz added the extras for 40-3.

Surrey Comet: Rosslyn Park Harry Rowlands

Rosslyn Park skipper Harry Rowlands on the charge    Picture: David Whittam

Park attacked up the right and the ball was passed inside to Mugford. With nothing looking on he reached into his box of tricks and hit the perfect drop goal for 43-3.

With the clock running down a quick move from Park forced Wharfedale to concede a penalty around half way.

It was hammered to the corner for a lineout. When the visitors sinned again the quick thinking Mugford took a quick tap and prop Bigley was forced over.

When Katz’s conversion bisected the posts to bring up the 50, the referee blew for time marginally early.

Park travel to Old Albanians this weekend, before their final home game of the season against Blaydon the weekend after.