Sat 4 Sep 2021
Birkenhead Park enjoyed an opening victory in North West 1 as they saw off the challenge of old rivals Broughton Park. There were league debuts for former colts Euan Alldis and Mathew Waddington in the backs while two more, Ben Gate and Fintan Lynch came off the bench for their first senior starts.
After just 6 minutes a driving scrum saw the home side take the ball against the head and from the subsequent line out Martin Donnelly touched down after Jack Ashcroft won the line out with Dave Hall converting. Broughton Park enjoyed plenty of early possession but Birkenhead doubled their lead when Peter Doolan finished another catch and drive and Hall again adding the extras. Park defended well in general to keep the persistent Broughton attacks at bay but scrum half Matt Hodkinson kicked a penalty to open the visitor’s account. Park had limited opportunities but did take their chances and a third line out catch and drive saw prop Matt Ibbotson drive cross for another converted try. Broughton eventually breached the home defence when flanker Frank Tufail-Smith broke through just before half time with Hodkinson converting.
Birkenhead enjoyed much more of the possession in the second half as they controlled play for long periods but a combination of good defence, missed opportunities and wrong options saw Broughton hold their line intact. Dave Hall did add a penalty after 53 minutes but Park were thwarted in their efforts to claim the elusive bonus point try. Some hesitant handling in midfield saw Broughton eventually break out for a long range try finished by the dangerous centre Joe Sinclair. Hokinson’s conversion meant Broughton were now only a converted try behind to make for a nervous finale but Park finished in control for a well deserved victory.
Ben Gate joined the action in the second half with the versatile Donnelly switching to the front row and Gate taking his place on the flank. Gate did well as did Fintan Lynch when he joined the back division on the wing. The Park scrum was increasingly dominant with James Millward also coming on to build on the platform previously set. Jack Ashcroft enjoyed an excellent match as did Matt Ibbotson and Martin Donnelly in a hard working Park pack.
Park travel to Bowdon on Saturday looking to continue their good start to the season.
Peter Greville, Press Officer
Birkenhead Park
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