Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 6 Sep 2025

Birkenhead Park

31 - 27

(HT 0-0)

Widnes

Birkenhead Park

Widnes

Birkenhead Park found a way to win 31-27 in their first match in Regional 2 North West against a strong, organised Widnes side. The new additions to the team, Nathan Lewis and Jack Lewtas contributed three of the five tries which bodes well for the squad going forward.

A bonus point win doesn’t tell the full story of an even match with Widnes running most of the plays in a first half. It was Park though who opened the scoring after five minutes of the game with a well worked try from forwards quickly through the backs to scrum half Sean Lynch. It seemed that Park had hit the ground running. 

However, they could not build on the momentum and a series of penalties served to assist the visitors converting their yardage into points with a converted try and a penalty to take a 5-10 lead. Park hit back with another well worked try for new boy Nathan Lewis but more infringements allowed Widnes to convert another penalty to go in at the break 10-13 up.

The second half began similarly with Widnes making most of the running early on and extending their lead to 10-20 with another converted try. From then on, Park were able to reduce the penalty count that had plagued them in the first half and
string some effective moves together demonstrating an encouraging ability to adapt tactics accordingly.

Park closed the gap with Nathan Lewis’s excellent second try, converted by Isacs to come within 3 points at 17-20. Good chasing by another new boy Jack Lewtas caught the Widnes in possession and stripped the defender to score, Isaacs again converting. This took Park into the lead 24-20. A determined Widnes hit back with a converted try of their own pushing them back into the lead 24-27.

Park were not to be denied their comeback, skipper Adam Wellington leading from the front by scoring the winning try. Sustained pressure by the forwards led to a break from midfield converted
by Isaacs, his 6 point contribution giving Park the edge on the scoreboard. 

A final push from Widnes was kept at bay by Park who managed to run out winners 31-27.

One worry for Director of Rugby, Neil Shaw was an injury to Man of the Match, Lewis who pulled up with a suspected pulled hamstring after scoring his second try.

Neil Shaw said: "This was a typical opening fixture with both teams
making errors in a match either side could have won. It was good to see however that Park never gave up and battled through to claim the bonus point victory. There are no easy games in this league and with plenty for the coaches to work on in the week before another tough encounter away at West Park St Helens."

For some pictures of the game and pre match lunch please see the gallery section or click HERE