Birkenhead Park RFC

It was a nice bright day at Broughton Park for the last league game of the season, neither side had much to play for with Birkenhead sitting 3^rd whilst Broughton were possibly relegated depending on RFU decisions but this result would not change either’s position. Birkenhead started quite brightly having quite a bit of possession but not quite being able to break the Broughton defence. A line out on the Broughton 22 gave Birkenhead their first chance going inside the 22 but as was to be a standard response Broughton won the penalty at the breakdown to clear their lines. A usually dominant scrum from Birkenhead was being put under real pressure in this game and were not able to exert their pressure. Broughton weren’t about to lie down and were confident in taking the game to Birkenhead. Some good interpassing between Witte, Hellier and Chidley took Birkenhead into the Broughton half before the extra pass found the floor. A good steal by Ashcroft in the line out gave Birkenhead good position which was increased when Broughton were caught holding on. A deft kick to the corner and a good catch in the line out set up the ruck 10m out. Witte picked up and found the defence napping to power through to score the opening try, Roberts converting 0-7. Broughton were up in the scrums and forced Birkenhead into conceding penalties but anything that was kicked to touch was met with an organised defence and either Hellier, Jewell or Ashcroft managed to steal their ball. Birkenhead were confidently going through the phases and were just on the edge of the Broughton 22. However from a lineout Broughton managed to win possession and had a couple of good runs into the midfield. Birkenhead then infringed at the breakdown and instead of going for touch a quick tap and go set the Broughton attack on a roll, neat hands saw the winger finish off the move in the corner, 5-7. Birkenhead soon came back into it and recovered the restart to set up good field position. When Birkenhead were penalised another Broughton line out was stolen and the ball moved in field, a couple of quick penalties were taken by Birkenhead and Cross had the vision to see Dooley unmarked and the wide pass was caught and Dooley finished, Roberts converting 5-14. Despite the efforts of interim touch judge M.McNally trying to give it as foot in touch he was rightly overruled by the referee, to the chorus of, “BRING BACK TERRY” from the crowd. With the half running out an aimless kick through by Broughton was picked up by Chidley, inside to Ashcroft who fed Majoribanks, unfortunately the clearing kick was charged down by the Broughton winger who won the foot race to score out wide, 10-14. HT

Birkenhead were straight onto the attack with a great steal at the restart by Jewell but they were unable to capitalise giving away a couple of easy penalties allowed Broughton into the Birkenhead 22. Birkenhead were straight back into the attack with some good running through the middle by the forwards and Wellington adding his impetus. When Broughton were caught out not rolling away the ball went into the corner, a secure catch by Ashcroft set up the maul and Cross at the back was in charge. Spotting the lack of defence on the blind side he broke free stepped inside the defender to score 10-19. Birkenhead were unable to add to this and Broughton came back into it with some quick penalties to get into the Birkenhead 22. When Birkenhead infringed at the breakdown a quick thinking Broughton scrum half nipped through a gap to score under the posts, converted 17-19. Due to the dominance at the lineouts Broughton were just taking quick taps at every penalty but were making few yards. From a penalty at the scrum Birkenhead kicked into the 22m, from a good catch by Jewell the ball was moved inside and when Cross was tackled 5m out he managed a pass out the back to door to the supporting Hellier to go through the gap, Roberts converting 17-26. Young front row forward Dylan Gray then came on the park for his debut in place of hooker Witte. Birkenhead were straight back on the attack moving the ball from side to side and eventually Broughton ran out of defenders when the ball reached Tyrer who crashed through the last defender to score in the corner,17-31. Birkenhead were now gaining some control and spending most of the time in the Broughton half. With a great run by Mooney getting behind the defence the ball was moved quickly to Cross who stepped inside the covering defence and then offloaded to Bowen to score, Roberts converting 17-38. Gray won a penalty on the Broughton 10m allowing Birkenhead to move into their 22. With the ball moved wide and Broughton getting caught offside a quick tap by Wellington gave him the chance to take it up hitting the would-be tackler but spinning to score the try, Roberts converting 17-45. Straight from the kick off Birkenhead ran it back and great interpassing with a break made by Bowen then inside to Dooley, out the back to Wellington, who for once passed inside to Majoribanks to finish under the posts, Roberts converting 17-52.

Eventually a good win to finish off the league season and put Birkenhead in good spirits for the upcoming cup games. Broughton made Birkenhead fight for the result and were no easy match and the composure displayed by Birkenhead was good to see. An excellent debut from Gray and hopefully there will be more appearances to come.