Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 11 Oct 2025

Birkenhead Park

45 - 26

(HT 0-0)

Altrincham Kersal

Birkenhead Park

Altrincham Kersal

Birkenhead Park returned to winning ways with 45-26 score against Altrincham Kersal. The match was played in ideal Autumn conditions for rugby and both sides took advantage of the excellent pitch prepared by Terry Hall, Paul Trueman and team.

After five minutes Park took the lead with a good combination of forward pressure and distribution in the backs leading to an accelerated run by flanker, Jack Lewtas and converted by Liam Isaacs. This was followed by a similar move leading to a try by Dan Morgan and Park were up 14-0 within ten minutes of play.

Altrincham Kersal found their feet and resisted more Park pressure. Referee, Ray Galloway was clearly not happy with Park’s discipline in the breakdown and a succession of Altrincham ensued allowing our opponents some leeway in recovery.

The scoreline was remedied however with a five-metre scrum on the Altrincham Kersal line with Matt Walls powering over to make it 21-0.

The margin appeared impressive at this stage but AK’s forwards were beginning to hold their own and Park were not helped when two players eventually tested the referee’s patience with two more yellow cards, a trend that appeared to hang over from the previous week’s defeat against Sandbach.

The result was two tries in five minutes, the last of which was a penalty try when the AK centre was obstructed from a try scoring opportunity.

Nerves were calmed somewhat by half time with skipper wisely Adam Wellington opting to give the ball to Liam Isaacs who slotted home a penalty shortly afterwards to make it 24-14.

Many regulars on the line at half time recalled the stoic 22-point comeback by Altrincham Kersal two seasons ago in Park’s promotion year which Park eventually edged 31-29. Surely this would not be another nailbiter?

Winger Joe Dooley quelled anxiety with an excellent try under the posts after he created the ‘extra man’ in the centre position and gaining Birkenhead the four try bonus point.

The match ebbed and flowed. Possibly Park took their foot off the gas but this should not take credit away from AK who never gave in. Nevertheless, forward power led to another try by Park’s prop Pete Doolan taking the score to 38-14. Park were rampant at this stage, the pressure getting to Altrincham leading to a penalty try for an illegal pullback similar to Park’s in the first half.

Although time was running out for the visitors, they persevered and two tries in quick succession gave them a valuable bonus point for their considerable efforts as they bid to avoid the drop from Regional 2 North West.

Park’s own position improved to 7^th after a game which once again illustrated the side’s ability to score tries from different positions, a great sign that Park are playing as a team rather than relying on one or two players to keep the scoreboard moving. Talking of which, Liam Isaacs only missed one conversion and his five successful conversions and penalty contributed greatly to the result along with his tactical kicking.

They travel to Greater Manchester next Saturday for a fixture against fellow mid tablers Burnage followed by a home against Douglas IOM on 25^th.