Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 16 Dec 2023

Altrincham Kersal

20 - 31

(HT 0-0)

Birkenhead Park

Altrincham Kersal

Birkenhead Park

Altrincham Kersal 20 Birkenhead Park 31

It was a bright winter’s day at Stelfox Avenue for Park’s visit to AK for the last league game of the year. Park had 10 changes for this fixture and there was concern amongst the coaching hierarchy about getting something from the game with unavailability, sickness, and injuries hampering selection. It was good to see 19yrs old jack McCabe, ex Anselms school 1^st XV Captain, make his 1^st team debut in the engine room, Jim Montgomery back in the squad recapturing some of his old form and Sam Tyrer back in the centre. A big call to put power house centre Scott Davidson in the back row and it was good to see Park students back from studies with Matt Waddington starting on the wing, Dylan Gray and Cathal Lynch on the bench accompanied by 2^nd XV lynch pin Phil Birkett providing front row power to come on.

AK gave Park a tough game at the Upper Park and nothing less was expected today from the opposition. AK started brightly helped with a bit of back chat from WDR but Park’s defence was holding firm and a good turnover by Hughes helped Park to a scrum. Some good runs came from Bennet and Tyrer in the midfield backed up by the obligatory pick and go from White who again managed 40m before being dragged down. Despite possession though park were unable to make the initial break through. A great steal by Perkins at the line out set Park up to attack out of their 22 and another penalty put Park in the AK 22. When the ball was moved wide a great break by Montgomery beat the defenders and the inside pass found the supporting Chidley out wide to burst through and score, Baldwin converting, 0-7. AK pressured the Park recovery and a penalty against Park allowed them into the Park 22. They kept the pressure on but park were able to keep them out with some determined defence in the forwards. Park were giving away too many penalties and were fortunate that AK were unable to capitalise and get some points. Some good game management from Baldwin was keeping Park out of the red zone and this was backed up with some nice inter play between Tyrer and Wellington. A good break from Du Randt brought Montgomery off his wing and Park were in the AK 22 but a penalty gave them an easy escape. An error at the lineout gave AK a chance and a quick tap by the 9 set them off. Quick hands moved the ball and a nice line from the AK centre put him through the Park defence to score, converted 7-7. Park came straight out of the kick off onto the attack with nice hands and movement putting them in good positions. A penalty given away by AK gave Baldwin the chance to put them in the corner. Good arrows from White to Perkins set up the drive and when the ball was moved wide a good line from Du Randt found the inside shoulder and he was unstoppable, Baldwin converting 7-14. With time ticking down on the half a loose kick from Park gave AK the chance to attack and with them throwing the ball around with abandon they eventually found space out wide and when they had a 3 on 2 they took advantage to score out wide, 12-14., HT.

AK started the 2^nd half brightly forcing Park on the defensive but were camped around the Park 22 and eventually forced a penalty which was converted giving them the lead, 15-14. Park were back on the attack though and were having plenty of possession but were just unable to get into the red zone. Eventually AK got out of their half and a dropped ball in the midfield set them up for an attack. Another penalty and they were now on the park 5m line, a throw to the back gave them momentum and eventually they bundled over for the try, 20-14. It was looking difficult now for Park and the number of enforced changes could have a serious impact. Never a team to give up though park went back on the attack and when given a penalty in front of the sticks Baldwin took the points, 20-17. With a stolen line out on the half way line Park moved the ball swiftly along the line and Du Randt dummied the defence to make the break finding Montgomery on his outside to get into the AK 22. A quick tap by Wellington caught AK offside and the defence suffered a yellow card putting them down to 14 men. Doolan and Grant carried well into the AK 22 but the defence was holding out. Strong carries in the forwards pounded at the AK line and then the ball was moved to Baldwin who stepped inside the onrushing defenders to crash over the line, converted to 20-24. Park were back in charge and despite the odds were looking good for a hard fought victory. Park were now back in shape and controlling the game epitomised with a neat 50/22 from Baldwin to set them up for another attack. A strong catch and drive eventually led to the backs being released and when Tyrer stepped into the defence he took the outside defenders with him. Quick ball from Chidley to Baldwin and then Waddington was in the gap to score out wide, Baldwin converting, 20-31. AK came back on the attack but this Park team were in no mood to give another team a bonus point and the defence was strong. With all the changes made the impactors were on to keep up the pressure and turned over ball after ball. Despite their best efforts Ak were unable to add to the score line and Park ran out bonus point winners. A great display from a much changed team gave Park a 5 point win keeping them top of the league going into the Xmas break Positives around those who stepped up and were not out of their depth at this level bodes well for the future. Commitment needs to be improved going into the New Year with improved numbers and commitment required for training as we still have a long way to go in the season.