Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 25 Sep 2021

Glossop

16 - 10

(HT 0-0)

Birkenhead Park

Glossop

Birkenhead Park

Birkenhead Park made their first ever visit to the edge of Derbyshire and were just edged out in a hard fought game. Glossop having stepped up to Level 6 for the first time in their history were jovial hosts off the pitch and committed on it.

A much changed Park team welcomed back Flanker, Luke Swan after a four year absence and veteran David Ibbotson to the back row. In the backs Fly half Garin Roberts made his full debut and Sam Tyrer made his first appearance of the season on the wing after injury.

Park started brightly and regathered the kick off and bossed the opening exchanges Roberts looks assured and excelled on his debut at 10. After a fine break down the wing and sustained pressure Prop Martin Donnelly powered over to open the scoring. The conversion came off the post.

The rest of the half was a fairly even affair with both teams defending superbly. The game was played in a good tough manner with both teams giving their all. As the half progressed Parks ill-discipline was beginning to cost them and Glossop took their chances and converted three penalties to lead at half time 9-5.

The second half was similar to the first, an even encounter played by two highly committed teams, going one end to the other. The penalty count was mounting against Park with Glossop playing the erratic official much better than Park. Jack Ashcroft was sin binned and the pressure finally told with Glossop scoring a converted try to lead 16-5.

This try looked to put the game beyond Park who needed to score twice in the last few minutes to win. Another fine kick by Garin Roberts found Winger Sam Tyrer in space and after some neat footwork won the chase to touch down for a well finished try. Park pushed for a winning try in the last minute but fittingly the referee punished park with another penalty against which ended the game.

Glossop were good value for their win and many teams are going to find their visit to the “Hill” tough this season.

Director of Rugby Martin O’Keefe was in philosophical mood after the game “It was really tough out there today, we’ve had to make seven enforced changes to the squad from last week so we lacked some fluidity. Having said that I believe our first half performance was the best we have played this season. I feel a lot of decisions went against us today which unfortunately decided the game. On a positive we are starting to see Dave Blyth’s game plan take effect and when we get some players back from injury we will be a decent team”

Next week Park welcome Carlisle to the Upper Park 3pm Kick-off

Peter Greville, Press Officer
Birkenhead Park