Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 31 Jan 2026

Birkenhead Park

23 - 17

(HT 0-0)

Burnage

Birkenhead Park

Burnage

Birkenhead Park once again pulled out all the stops to win 23-17 against 5th placed Burnage who had beaten Park in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. 

In the first 20 minutes of relentless Park pressure on a rain-soaked pitch, fans would be forgiven for thinking that Park were going to run away with a bonus point win, the pack dominating all the scrums and lineouts.

That pressure was rewarded with an in-form Liam Isaacs penalty for 3-0. Shortly afterwards, forward pressure yielded a pushover try finished by hooker, Dylan Gray with Isaacs converting. Despite the ball resembling a bar of soap, more accurate passing of the ball followed and the large Burnage pack were rattled. Isaacs obliged with a further penalty for 13-0.

Park nearly went further ahead when an inevitable fumble occurred only five metres from the try line when the Burnage centre spilled a pass, skipper Jacob Ainscough only being denied a short run in by the awkward bounce of the loose ball.

Penalties were the order of the day, referee Will Coulter regularly blowing for infringements by both sides. A penalty kick appeared to settle Burnage after 20 minutes of defending and it was Park who began to give away yardage in a frustrating sequence before half time.

Park’s discipline, a factor that had let them down earlier this season, wavered and they found themselves with three men in the hut. Park being thankful for the whistle with the score remaining 13-3

Burnage took full advantage with a try just after half time against the depleted Park unit and then deservedly went ahead for the first time due to intelligent use of the extra backs touching down again five minutes later to make it 13-17. 

Defiant Park defence held out, and no further damage was done.  Player party having now been restored ten minutes into the second half, it took a while for Park to get within earshot of the pavilion faithful. Persistence paid off and Ainscough pointed to the sticks for Liam Isaacs to keep the scoreboard ticking to within one point of the opposition.

Park, previously dominant in the scrummages, were now taking time to adjust due to another departure, this time the injured Prop Alan Hughes who was playing his 98th game for Birkenhead. 

With the drizzle becoming heavier, Burnage defended well against the charges in open play led by flanker, Joe Fletcher and the Lewtas brothers supported by second rows Ashcroft and Cavanagh who both had a steadying influence on matters. Tactical enterprise in the loose eventually led to a penalty 25 metres from home with Isaacs this time falling short.

Nevertheless, despite some more penalties, giving Burnage some yardage, Park were always looking for the kind of openings that they had enjoyed earlier in the game. Such dogged persistence culminated in a charge just west of the posts by Dylan Gray for his second try which was greeted with hearty, yet somewhat relieved cheers from the pavilion terrace. Isaacs made it a six-point game with a couple of minutes remaining.

Burnage did manage a couple of attacks in a bid to seize the victory, but Park, sensing the second hands ticking in their favour, repeatedly booted the ball back into the Burnage half, risking vital possession but ultimately placing emphasis on the long-sighted creativity of the Burnage back three.  

Upshot

Above all, Park’s mindset was again ‘never give up’ and fully deserved the crucial victory. The traditionally tough trip to the Isle of Man next week ensues but Park will be confident of a result after finding a way to win recent games.

With Firwood Waterloo and West Park also winning, it is still tight at the lower half of the table with only five points separating the second relegation position and Park in 8th.

A word for Terry Hall, Paul Truman and the ground staff whose work on drainage ensured that the pitch held up well. This work is set to continue. More news on ground enhancements soon.

some pictures of the game can be found HERE