The Lions led the leagues 2nd placed team with 15 minutes to go but Park's strong maul ultimately proved the difference between the sides.

On a very wet and muddy Westleigh Park pitch, the home side started brightly and took the lead through an early Luke Bouchier penalty. (3-0)

As handling conditions were less than favourable, both sides wrestled for control through their kicking game, and it took a moment of magic from Charlie Walker to cythe through the Lions defence and break the deadlock on 21 minutes. (3-5)

This was quickly followed by a Matthew Woodward score after a line break in midfield was followed by some good handling by the visitors. James added the extras. (3-10).

The Lions responded well though and when a clever James Stubbs kick went out 5 metres from Park's line, Cam De Beer stole the lineout and Monty Loggenberg burst through two would-be tackles to go over under the posts. Bouchier converting (10-12).

The Lions had a big opportunity to take the lead, from a 5m scrum, just before the break but a mix up at the base between Stubbs and Marsh meant the visitors were able to scramble the ball in to touch.

The scoreline remained the same for the first 25 minutes of the second half, as both sides battered away at each other in the now very muddy pitch, but strong defence from both sides prevented any breakthrough. Finally the Lions took the lead through a Bouchier penalty on 65 minutes (13-12).

Unfortunately for the home side, when the resulting kick off was not taken and ricocheted off Jake Sterland's leg, Park were able to maul over the Lions line from a lineout and regain the lead almost immediately (13-19).

The Lions pushed for a winning score but when a break down the blindside from a midfield scrum led to another Park maul, the visitors sealed victory and denied the Lions a much deserved bonus point (13-26).

Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''Mixed feelings really. I'm really proud of our efforts today. Our young pack really stepped up physically and we've gone toe-to-toe with a top side. Apart from a couple of moments there was nothing between the sides today so I'm very frustrated that we didn't get anything out of the game.''