Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 21 Oct 2023

Crewe & Nantwich

19 - 35

(HT 0-0)

Birkenhead Park

Crewe & Nantwich

Birkenhead Park

Crewe and Nantwich 19 Birkenhead Park 35

After last week’s victory over then league leaders Bowdon games don’t get any easier with park on the road to C&N, the new league leaders and only unbeaten team in the league this week. With some last minute re-arranging and new boy Joe White on the bench it was a slightly disrupted squad for this trip and they knew it would be a tough game. It was a bright chilly day at C&N and Park received the kick off in a better fashion than last week so it was a good start. There was a bright opening for Park with Bennett making 30m off a line out and Du Randt neatly into his stride to force a scrum for Park in their 22. Park would be tested this week against a big strong C&N pack and would definitely not have it their own way. With some strong carries in the midfield by Captain Mooney and Wellington the ball was moved wide and Du Randt from 5m out was not being stopped, Hall converted 0-7. Park conceded a penalty in the scrum and C&N kicked to the Park 22.With ball off the top it was quickly spread wide and an inside pass from the winger gave the C&N centre a quick run it to score, 5-7. The game was quite evenly matched with both sets of forwards trying to dominate but parity in the scrums seemed to be the way in this game. Park’s lineout was functioning better than last week with Ashcroft calling the shots. Park were playing a more controlled game this week than last and seemed comfortable in both possession when attacking and just as importantly when defending. Park moved quickly into the C&N 22 and spent time trying to force their way over the line but the defence held firm eventually forcing park into touch. The line out and driving maul were working well with 2^nd row White making extra yards when peeling off the back. Park were putting on lots of pressure and eventually a C&N defender was caught over his own line. From the Park scrum Chidley got away but was stopped inches short but backing up prop Doolan picked up and forced his way over the line to score, Hall converting, 5-14. C&N came back and when Park gave away a penalty just inside their half the option to kick for goal was taken but fortunately misses. Park were back on the attack when a knock on gave them a scrum midfield. The scrum was good and winger Laing made good yards into the C&N 22 and forced the penalty. A neat kick to the corner saw the Park line out functioning well and when the drive was halted 2^nd row White broke clear to force his way over to score, Hall converting, 5-21. Park were looking comfortable but never a team to allow the supporters and easy time from the restart they gave away another penalty. C&N were now camped in the Park 22 and after a couple of burst eventually found a way through when the centre off loaded to the supporting prop to score near the posts, converted 12-21. The game was now being played between the two 22’s and neither side were able to find the killer blow. When C&N were attacking a pass for the centre was delightfully intercepted by 2^nd row White from his own 22 and off he went all the way to the C&N 10m line. His pass found winger Laing who was dragged down 5m short, from the resulting scrum Park moved the ball wide but the defence held out and the scores remained the same.

C&N started the 2^nd half strongly working their way confident but the defence from Park if not 1^st up was certainly there in the covering and scrambling cover and pressure was being applied across the park. Park got back into it and with breaks in the midfield were able to move into the C&N 22, Perkins was to the fore using his speed and power to make the breaks. Now it was Park’s turn to apply the pressure and they kept to their structures to keep the ball in the C&N half. A penalty given away by park however let them out and again Park had to call on their defensive structure to keep them forcing C&N into the mistake and then clearing their lines. Perkins was carrying well and the ball was being cleanly recycled with Chidley providing excellent service. Eventually the ball found winger Laing who stepped then powered through the remaining tacklers to finish this one off, Hall converting 12-28.C&N didn’t give up the fight and started to get some dominance in the scrum forcing the penalty against Park. However as much as they tried Park were able to stand up and thwart any attacks and keep their lines clear. Park were able to spoil a C&N lineout on the half way line and after the ball was cleared up Perkins went on a 20m rampage through the C&N lines. With an offload to Du Randt who then fed Laing who scorched away from the trailing defenders to score his second, Hall converting, 35-12. C&N came back into the fight and attacked Park through a number of phases, the ball was being moved from side to side until eventually the substitute 2^nd row took the extra pass in open field to score, converted, 19-35. Changes in the front row with McLaughlin and White coming on unsettled the Park pack for a couple of scrums but once they got into their groove they held up well and began to get on top. The game was now being played between the two 22m lines and Park, although without the ball for the majority of this, appeared comfortable in their defence. Try as they might C&N could not break through a well organised and resilient defensive line, time and again C&N attacks were turned over and the lines were cleared. As the clock turned down C&N got more and more desperate to try and cross the line for that try bonus point but Park kept them out and eventually with a final turnover under the posts Baldwin kicked the ball dead and the Ref blew for the final time.

Two good wins in the past two weeks see Park go top of the table but it is early in the season and there are tough games ahead and the squad need to take it one game at a time. A better display this week but too many penalties and missed tackles will give the coaches and squad plenty to work on before the next game.