Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 2 Oct 2021

Birkenhead Park

16 - 13

(HT 10-3)

Carlisle

Birkenhead Park

Carlisle

After suffering two reverses in North 1, Park returned to winning ways but it was a close affair at the Upper Park with two well matched teams. Park welcomed back winger Adam Roscoe for his first game of the season and prop Matt Ibbotson made his 200th senior appearance.

Both sides had their moments in a hard fought first half but defences prevailed until Dave Hall broke the deadlock with a penalty after 30 minutes. A few minutes later Park surrendered the advantage when the forwards infringed and centre Les Bell equalised for Carlisle. Park claimed a crucial score just before half time when the forwards drove decisively before prop Martin Donnelly powered through for the try with Hall converting to give the home side a seven point lead at the break.

Park opened the second half in confident fashion with Jack Ashcroft enjoying a fine game in the home forwards and Ibbotson was also to the fore in his landmark appearance. With new stand off Garin Roberts from Denbigh settling in well, Park looked dangerous but were unable to gain the breakthrough after squandering a number of chances. Carlisle weathered the storm and went on the attack with winger Whittacker going clear for the try against the run of play, Bell’s conversion levelled matters to set up a tense final quarter.

Carlisle appeared to be getting the upper hand and they took the lead for the first time with another Bell penalty. Park rallied and after good pressure they gained a penalty which Hall converted to equalise the scores again going into the closing minutes. Park continued to press and when Carlisle were penalised again Hall made no mistake to edge the home side ahead. There was still time for Carlisle to respond but stand off Telford pulled a final penalty attempt wide as Park just held on for victory.

Park Director of Rugby Martin O’Keefe said “ this game could easily have gone either way, we almost paid the price for not scoring when we had our best spell early in the second half. There were plenty of positives and we can definitely improve. Thankfully “Mr Reliable” Dave Hall was on song with the boot to win the day for us.”

There is a break in the North 1 programme this week before Park travel to Altrincham Kersal the following Saturday.

Peter Greville

Press Officer

Birkenhead Park