Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 3 Feb 2024, 14:15

Birkenhead Park

24 - 21

(HT 0-0)

Crewe & Nantwich

Birkenhead Park

Crewe & Nantwich

On a damp day at the Upper Park, Park were looking to try and get back on track after last week’s defeat away at Bowdon. Park were dealt a blow in the warm up when scrum half Majoribanks was involved in a clash of heads resulting in him breaking his nose and not being able to start. As it was just prior to kick off Park were left with just 2 x substitutes and had winger Laing stepping into the 9 position. Park started brightly enough and from a mistake at the kick off had a dominant scrum to set down their marker. Park were having plenty of possession but were unable to turn this into points and when the opportunity arose C&N were quick to have a go at the breakdown and turn ball over. Try as they might Park just could not get over the line and were held up on occasion allowing C&N to relieve the pressure. Despite the sustained pressure without a recognised 9 Park were definitely being slower at the breakdown and C&N took advantage. It was feeling like this wasn’t going to be a day when they would be scoring at will. Even when Davidson broke through and looked like he would score the covering tackler managed to knock the ball out of his hands 5m short. The game had been spent for the past 30minutes in C&N’s half but still park couldn’t find a way through the tough defence. Eventually C&N got out and into the Park half and from a scrum on the Park 22 the ball was moved wide and despite interference from Wellington in the centre the ball found the C&N 15 who had the wheels to outstrip the defence and score, converted 0-7. Park forced a mistake from the kick off and took the resulting scrum, Fox set the platform and the ball was moved around. With pressure being applied park were again camped in the C&N 22 and the forwards took it to the 5m line when Wellington picked up and dived over. The ref after some deliberation awarded the try 5-7. HT.

Despite all the possession Park were behind and C&N were growing in confidence but Park still had the same problem lots of possession but unable to find the breakthrough. C&N took a lineout on the Park 10m line in their first incursion into Park’s half and with quick ball off the top it went wide and the speedy C&N winger scorched in to score, converted 5-14. C&N were now playing the better rugby and were putting the pressure on Park fortunately however little mistakes allowed Park to exit. Having Laing at 9 helped with a neat break that took Park to the C&N 22m. With ball moved wide C&N were caught offside at the breakdown and Baldwin put the ball 5m out. A great catch by Ashcroft set up the drive and with R.Doolan tucked in the pocket it was an easy ride over the line, Baldwin converting, 12-14. With a fumble at the restart C&N had the attacking scrum and moved the ball from one side to the other. Park were penalised at the breakdown and a quick tap by the 9 saw him make 20m into the Park 22. When the ball was moved on a great line by the C&N backrow saw him find the gap and with the fullback on the inside Park had no defenders as he skipped in under the posts, converted 12-21. Park pressurised the restart and kept C&N in their own half but they always looked dangerous when the ball was moved around. Park’s lineout was working well and as long as Baldwin found touch the odds were good it was coming back Park’s way. A kick into the 22 gave Park the platform and the ball was recycled and went into the midfield with a good carry from Roscoe. When the ball came out and found Ashcroft who just prior to contact threw the miss pass to WDR who bounced a couple of defenders to score out wide, 17-21. The clock was ticking now and Park were running out of time to stage the fightback. With the Park scrum under pressure the ball was difficult to keep hold of and C&N kicked long to put Park back in their 22. Park edged down the field but C&N always seemed to manage to get hold of the ball and kick downfield making Park work from far out. Neat work between Roscoe and WDR gave Park a glimpse when they stormed into the C&N 22 area supplemented by a penalty into the corner which was taken well by Bennett. With Park held up 5m out with a number of drives and then had another penalty advantage the ball came to Baldwin who with pin point accuracy chipped into the corner for WDR, having come off his own wing to catch and score, Baldwin converted, 24-21. FT

A bonus point victory for Park and with 70 minutes gone one which, some may have thought completely unexpected, however the team played right to the end and the result justified all the possession they had without reaping the rewards on the score board. C&N will no doubt feel aggrieved that they did not come away with more than just the 1 point and Park will be relieved to have come away with 5 points. This is a tough league and Park need to improve and get back to the form shown before Xmas if they are to fulfil their potential. Another hard encounter next week away at LSH awaits us and the players will need to step up for this one.