Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 18 Dec 2021

Birkenhead Park

40 - 29

(HT 0-0)

Bowdon

Birkenhead Park

Bowdon

Birkenhead Park were comfortable winners at the Upper Park but a late surge by visitors Bowdon at least brought them a well deserved try bonus point.

Park had the perfect start going on the attack from the kick off, they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and scrum half Sam Chidley took the Bowdon defence by surprise with a quick tap and break before he put centre Matt Witchell over for the opening try. Park winger Dave Morgan was prominent in the early exchanges and Bowdon’s lively backs also impressed but the Park defence was up to the task and kept the line intact before good interplay brought a second home try when Adam Wellington crashed over with Dave Hall converting. Park took control with a driving maul try through hooker James Millward and then Witchell broke clear for his second with Hall converting both times as Park had the bonus point in the bag. Bowdon gave themselves a lifeline when veteran stand off Mike Swetman powered over from short range just before half time with the try scorer adding the extras too.

Bowden started the second half strongly and dangerous full back Matty Kilcourse broke through for a try which put the visitors back into the contest. Park gained a crucial try when centre Sam Tyrer broke from a forward melee from long range and raced through to score under the posts, Hall again converting. A further converted try by flanker Sean Mooney gave Park an unassailable lead going into the final stages. To their credit Bowden displayed a “never say die” attitude as their backs ran amok against a tiring Park defence scoring three unanswered tries through Swetman, Kilcourse and winger Neo Brown.

Director of Rugby Martin O’Keefe said, “we again had to make a lot of changes but we deserved the maximum points even if we did make hard work of it at times against a lively Bowden side.”

There is a break in league action until 8th January when Park have a tricky assignment at Manchester.

Park are due to take on Old Birkonians in the annual festive match at the Upper Park on 27th December , 3pm kick off.

Peter Greville
Press Officer
Birkenhead Park