Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 2 Sep 2023

Birkenhead Park

47 - 12

(HT 26-5)

Vale of Lune

Birkenhead Park

Vale of Lune

Birkenhead Park 47 Vale of Lune 12

It was a gloriously sunny day at the Upper Park with the pitch in immaculate condition after the off season work by Terry and Paul. A full lunch thanks to Phil and Emma Tarleton provided an expectant crowd for the first home game of the season. There were changes to the Park set up with our welsh contingent having moved on but fortunately Postey was able to acquire new players in his role as 1^st team director to fill the gaps. Vale kicked off attacking the club house and showed their attacking intent when fielding the return quickly and looking to move the ball from the off. Park’s defence was organised and after a couple of phases managed to force the mistake and claim the scrum. From a dominant scrum the ball was moved and from a quick tap and go from Morgan Park moved into the Vale half. Good breaks from Wellington and Witte took park into the Vale 22 and another penalty gave Park a lineout just 7m out. Unfortunately a lack of communication meant park lost the ball and Vale cleared their lines. From the lineout a neat move led to Fox breaking the line and making 40m before being dragged down 5m out. Recycled ball eventually found the space out wide and a neat pass found Roscoe to crash over wide out, 5-0. FA lineout from park went astray but a great steal by prop Grant led to Park regaining possession. Park were going through the phases with fly half Baldwin pulling the strings and using backs and forwards as and when required. Doolan, Fox, Ashcroft and Wellington to the fore with the carries. From a 5m line out the ball went wide and when the Vale defence were caught offside a quick tap by Waddington led to him diving over to score, Hall converting, 12-0. Vale however just wanted to try and go quickly but some poor handling let them down on occasion and Parks defence was well organised and they were unable to find a way through. The pace was certainly being put into the game and with Baldwin having a lovely day with the boot park were always able to get out of trouble. Park moved into the Vale half and when Rob Doolan stole a ball at the breakdown and fed Wellington, he needed no further invite to brush off several Vale tacklers to score under the posts, Hall converting, 19-0. Fox was in imperious form also showing the Park faithful what they had missed at the end of last season when he got injured. From a turnover in the Park 22 Hall made a break and kicked into the Vale 22. Park were able to regain possession but a final forward pass cancelled out the try. Park were not to be denied and were putting on the pressure. From a good lineout drive the ball was moved wide and then back again. Captain Mooney took the ball in and off loaded to the supporting Fox to crash over next to the posts, Hall converting, 26-0. Park were looking comfortable and some lax play gave Vale an easy penalty. Following the kick to the corner some poor tackling from the park forwards allowed the Vale back row to scamper through for a try, converted, with the last play of the half, 26-5.

The 2^nd half continued Park reorganising and the bench being used to good effect with the hot weather taking its toll on both sets of player with temperatures in the mid 20’s. Vale started brightly and forced their way into the Park 22 with a good break and kick through. Park’s lineout and scrum were functioning well and were on top at the set piece. Neither side were able to capitalise on their possession. Park were awarded a penalty 7m out from the Vale line and opted for the scrum. With the ball won and well controlled at the back by Ashcroft, roared on by the home crowd, Park moved forward and Ashcroft was able to dot down, Hall converting 33-5. A lovely 50/22 by Baldwin set park up inside their 22 and from the line out a Crossfield kick was challenged by the Vale winger with Roscoe just missing out. With their scrum under pressure Vale managed to clear their lines. Park came back though and were putting Vale under pressure in their 22 with the ball coming back every time they cleared it. It was surely a matter of time before Park were able to fully capitalise on the possession. With Fox never going backwards Park were on the front foot and with Baldwin pulling the strings behind Park looked dangerous. Once the ball was moved wide a break by Roscoe got him behind the defence and when he freed his hands he was able to feed MOM Lynch who was able to run in 20m unopposed, Hall converting 40-5. From the restart a quick tap was halted by the scrum half pulling back Morgan, a yellow card and 10 more yards ensued. From the penalty Baldwin saw Lynch out wide and free and a deft kick into space for the onrushing Lynch was narrowly thwarted by the Vale defence who had scrambled across. Vale did not give up and were soon in the Park 22 putting the home side under intense pressure. Park were confident in their defence and even from a 5m scrum they looked to move the ball and Roscoe tried the kick in behind the defence for the onrushing Fox, only for it to go a bit too far. The resulting drop out only went to the Vale 22 and Park were back on the attack. When the ball was moved wide it found Hall in some space with a scrambling defence coming across. A neat inside pass found the onrushing Morgan who scampered through the gap to score under the posts, Hall converting, 47-5. Vale did not give up though and put Park under pressure forcing the error just inside the Park half. From the resulting Vale scrum the ball was moved to the centre who found room that shouldn’t have been there to run in around the Park defence to score, converted 47-12.

An excellent win by Park and although there were mistakes there was plenty to admire. It was good to see Fox back on the park clearly displaying his class both on and off the ball. Baldwin was classy at 10 and showed what he can bring to the team. It was a really hot day but there was some great displays by the forwards carrying the ball at every opportunity and working hard with the Doolans, Witte, Perkins and Ashcroft to the fore. A MOM display by Lynch playing out of position on the wing too, well supported by his opposite wing Roscoe and Wellington continuing to do what he always does with his carries. Plenty to work on this week but a good start to the season.