Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 3 Sep 2022

Vale of Lune

19 - 39

(HT 0-0)

Birkenhead Park

Vale of Lune

Birkenhead Park

Park made the trip to Vale of Lune with some mixed feelings off the back of the defeat to Macclesfield. With some key players missing, the team had a new feel about it. Park started brightly from the kick off but with his first touch of the ball centre Wellington had a head clash with his opposite number, leading to both of them being taken off for blood injury assessments. Park were immediately on the attack and having spoilt a Vale lineout were into their 22. Vale managed to clear and a penalty put them into the Park 22, again pressure at the lineout spoilt the ball for Vale and Park were able to clear. A great break off the back of the scrum from Dai Morgan ended with the Park team in the Vale 22. The ball was moved from side to side by Park, showing great composure and some big carries from Hughes, Davies and Fox made inroads; when Vale ran out of defenders and Fox passed through the tackle for Rob Doolan to score, Hall converted.

Park continued the attacks and were having plenty of possession, moving the ball consistently across the field of play. Park were camped in the Vale 22 and a series of big carries had them 10m from the line when an inside pass found a Vale back who raced away 85m to score under the posts, 7-7. Park got their heads back up and were back in the Vale half for long periods, making inroads at every opportunity. As luck would have it another movement along the line and the ball was again picked off by a Vale back who raced 80m to score, 14-7. There were no further scores in the half and Park turned around with the wind behind them.

Park started brightly and moved into the Vale half and when they were penalised Hall took no second invite to slot the kick, 14-10. Park still had confidence in their play with Wellington, despite the head injury, making yards with every carry. Vale managed however to relieve the pressure and moved swiftly downfield and into the Park 22. When the ball was moved wide Park were caught offside at the ruck and Vale pumped it to the 5m line. From the resulting lineout the Vale forwards powered over to score in the corner, 19-10.

Park’s head never went down and after some pressure the ball went wide to Marjoribanks who chipped the ball through, chased and won the race to touch the ball down. Unfortunately, Callum suffered an injury whilst scoring which led to an overnight stay at Aintree hospital. He has been released and is recovering well, with hopefully no lasting effects, much to everyone’s delight, in particular his parents who were down watching the game, 19-17. 

Park kept the pressure on and were getting on top in the scrum; another penalty against Vale at the breakdown gave Hall the opportunity to put Park back in the lead which he easily did, 19-20.

Vale came back into the game and spent some time in the park half but the defence held firm. Park managed to move into the Vale half and some quick hands found Fox taking the ball on the Vale 10m line bursting through the first tackle and speeding to the line to score, Hall converting, 19-27. Further pressure gave Park a 5m lineout and from the resulting maul Pete Doolan peeled off to score unopposed, 19-32. Park were now firmly in the driving seat and were frustrating Vale at every opportunity. With scrums being more dominant Park were putting Vale under immense pressure. As a result of this some missed passes by the Vale backs allowed Sam Tyrer to seize on a loose ball and go over for the final score, Hall converting, 19-39. 

Overall, a much better performance by Park who were deserved winners in the end. Hopefully carrying on the performance improvement to next week for the visit of Wilmslow.