Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 4 Nov 2023

Birkenhead Park

29 - 10

(HT 0-0)

Douglas (I.O.M.)

Birkenhead Park

Douglas (I.O.M.)

Birkenhead Park 29 Douglas IOM 10

After a week off to recover from injuries and setbacks Park were back in action against Douglas from the Isle of Man. Douglas have had a mixed start to the season having won a couple of games at home and losing by one score in a couple but failing to gain a victory on their travels. They were bolstered by 6 overseas players in today’s squad so it was likely to be a difficult game at the Upper Park. With the after effects of storm Ciaran still being felt and more rain expected during the game it was going to be an interesting contest. Douglas kicked off with the wind behind them towards the clubhouse. Fox back at No8 after a few weeks out took his first catch of the day and as is usual made yards against the Douglas defence. The rain was coming down as it would all game and so would make it a difficult day for handling and running the ball. Park’s set piece was functioning well and they were able to get decent possession but just couldn’t quite breach the last line of the Douglas defence. When given a penalty in the Douglas 22 Park opted for the scrum and pushed the Douglas pack back 10m before moving the ball wide and a long pass from Baldwin found Roscoe who broke through the defence to score out wide, 5-0. It was hoped this might be the start of some points scoring for Park but it wasn’t to be and when it seemed like they would score something went wrong. Some strong defence from Douglas ably assisted by some back chat from Park allowed Douglas to exit their try line. Park however were disrupting the Douglas set piece and P.Doolan made good yards from a Douglas line out. Park however were unable to get more points and were always liable to make this difficult. When penalised for a high tackle just inside the Park half Douglas opted to kick and slotted the penalty, 5-3. Park were back on the attack and into the Douglas 22 again but despite a number of phases just couldn’t find that telling pass and eventually a mistake would allow Douglas to clear their lines. Park were able to disrupt the Douglas set piece on several occasions and were back on the attack but couldn’t affect the scoreboard. Time and again Park were in the Douglas 22 but couldn’t cross the try line even Fox when breaking the gain line managed to slip away a pass only to find a Douglas set of hands. Try as they might the score line stayed at 5-3 and any chance of a comfortable win seemed a long way away.

The second half started with a bit of a kicking battle and eventually with the ball at the line out Park pressure forced the Douglas error. From a dominant Park scrum the ball went wide but Park were held up and had to recycle. With some good carries in the midfield Park were keeping possession when the ball came back and found Baldwin his cut out pass found Roscoe again and he made no mistake crashing over in the corner, 10-3. Douglas then came back game and forced Park to defend around their 22 and with good organisation were able to force errors from Douglas. Both sides were making errors with the weather having a big impact on either teams able to play through the phases. Fox on his comeback was being influential with some great carries in the midfield well supported by Bennett and Roscoe. From one of Harley’s busts he was able to flick the off load onto the supporting White who bounced 3 covering defenders to score near to the posts, Hall converting, 17-3. Park were beginning to look more comfortable and were in control but were not far enough in front for the game to be won. Douglas were not giving up and had their moments with some decent runs from their lively backs. However when the ball went down Park had such scrum dominance that odds on we were winning the ball back. Some neat hands in the backs saw Roscoe burst clear and find Fox on his shoulder but the final pass just went astray giving Dougals a scrum in their 22. With a surge from Park the ball was turned over Fox picked and went, feeding Chidley who almost made the line but as he was brought down he deftly slipped the ball inside to the covering Fox who crashed over to score, Hall converting 24-3. Park were now in control and were turning the screw with control by Baldwin they were spending the game in the Douglas half with the wind behind them. From a mistake by Park though Douglas were able to move into the Park half and apply some sustained pressure however the Park defence was able stand firm. When Park managed to move out of their half they put pressure on everything Douglas did and created the turnover. They then worked through the phases and only desperate defence was keeping them out. When Douglas conceded a penalty 5m out Park opted for the scrum which was comfortable won. Baldwin switched the attack and with swift hands from Chidley and Baldwin finding Roscoe out wide again with only one outcome this season as he finished off his hat trick, 29-3. With time running out Park switched off at the restart and Douglas won the ball back and with quick hands found the winger who went through the gap to score near the posts, converted 29-10. From the restart Douglas tried to come back but from Park pressure spilled the ball and the game was over.

Another 5 point hard fought victory in trying conditions was just what was required. Again set piece was dominant and set the platform for the victory. There are no easy games in this league and another tough fixture next week against Waterloo is what the squad is preparing for this week.