Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 22 Apr 2023

Birkenhead Park

26 - 17

(HT 0-0)

Firwood Waterloo

Birkenhead Park

Firwood Waterloo

Park came into this quarter final against our local derby rivals not having played for 4 weeks whilst Waterloo were fresh from good victories against Old Brodleians at home and away at Middlesborough. It was a sunny spring day at the Upper Park with no prayed for deluge to slow the Waterloo backs down as requested by the Park DOR. Waterloo started brightly and looked to run the ball at every opportunity spreading the ball wide to their speedy wingers. Waterloo were certainly up for this with their forwards carrying well and looking to attack the breakdown whenever possible drawing a number of penalties. A number of attacks from Waterloo eventually drew the penalty in front of the sticks which waterloo kindly converted, 0-3. Waterloo were having plenty of possession but the Park defensive structure was holding firm and they were finding it difficult to break through. Any breaks that were made were quickly snuffed out and Park were able to reset and come back. A lovely break by Roberts took park within 5m but a knock forward by the Waterloo defender stopped the attack. From the scrum Park caught Loo offside and quick thinking again by Roberts found Ibbotson who with a looping pass found wing Dooley to score out wide, 5-3. With Park’s scrum dominant and the lineout functioning well Park were getting opportunity to retain possession and with some busting runs from Cross they made inroads to the Waterloo half. When Loo were penalised Park kicked the penalty to the Loo 22m line. Good ball from Ashcroft set up the forwards for a number of midfield runs with Cross and Ibbotson prominent. Eventually Park moved closer to the Loo line and when the ball found Witte he crashed over to score, Hall converting 12-3. Park were gaining dominance in the line and scrums and the pressure was telling. With time running out in the half Loo were pressing to close the gap and broke down the unfortunately the last pass went astray on 10m out from the Park line. Sensing an opportunity the ball was moved wide through Roberts, Majoribanks and Mooney into the midfield. With the ball quickly recycled Roberts found Wellington onto Doolan and then Cross who drew the man to feed Tyrer. Tyrer broke clear and with the inside ball to Wellington with one man to beat he passed, for once, inside to the supporting Dooley who raced clear to score under the posts, Hall converting 19-3, and half time.

The second half started brightly for park with plenty of attacking opportunities and getting on top in the forwards with some carries around the fringes. After a decent number of phases Wellington stepped inside the covering defence and got within 5m of the line, from the breakdown Majoribanks picked up and just stepped the oncoming defender to score near the posts, Hall converting 26-3. Majoribanks took a knock to the head whilst scoring and was substituted with Dai Morgan taking the field. The game became very tight then for a period of time with neither side being able to press home the advantage. Park had plenty of possess but with the wind at their backs Loo were able time and again to clear any danger. Loo were looking dangerous on the counter attack but par’s defence seemed to have the measure of them in all phases. Eventually the Loo No.8 burst a tackle and mad yards down the blind side. When the ball was moved quickly to the other wing, Park simply ran out of defenders and the Loo winger was allowed free run to the line, converted 26-10. Loo had their tails up now and were having a good spell of possession. This was not helped when Park were penalised from a driving maul and Mooney was sent to the bin, even though he wasn’t in the maul itself. Park were defending well but loo continued to press and eventually after sustained pressure they managed to force their way over the line, converted, 26-17. There was still 15 minutes left and this could have been anyone’s game Loo were certainly desperate to get the win and Park not having played for 4 weeks had looked a little tired. Substitutions were made by Park to liven up the team and the crowd became more vocal. Loo had the possession and were in the park 22 for the last 5 minutes but were unable to cross the whitewash. Time and again they were repelled until they took a quick tap penalty and were easily turned over in the forwards. With a couple of runs and the clock in the red the ball came to stalwart Pete Doolan who swiftly dispatched the ball into the park allowing the ref to blow up.

A good win by Park who showed some nice touches in places and who brushed off the cobwebs after 4 weeks of not playing. Loo threw everything at them but with a dominant set piece Park were able to control the game for the most part and with a  confident set of backs took advantage of the opportunities presented. Another stern test awaits with the arrival of Percy park from the North East who dispatched Rochdale last week to set up this next encounter.