Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 10 Sep 2022, 15:00

Birkenhead Park

26 - 14

(HT 14-7)

Wilmslow

Birkenhead Park

Wilmslow

Birkenhead Park 26 Wilmslow 14

 
Park turned up for their first home game of the season in a quietly confident mood after a good win away at Vale of Lune the previous week. A couple of enforced changes with Fintan Lynch starting at 9, Fin Laing coming back on the wing to replace the injured Roscoe and Jack Ashcroft making a welcome return after being out injured. They started brightly and spent the initial exchanges in the Wilmslow 22. It was very much as last week with Park having most of the possession and looking comfortable whilst they had the ball but were unable to put points on the board. The ball was continually moved wide but Wilmslow’s scrambling defence held firm. A penalty in the Wilmslow half led to fly half putting the ball 5m out from the Wilmslow line. From the resulting lineout however Wilmslow spoilt the resulting maul and the danger was cleared. Despite some strong running in the midfield it took 20 minutes before Park were able to breach the Wilmslow defence. A Crossfield kick was gathered by Laing who made it into the 22 the ball was eventually moved wide to Tyrer on the opposite wing who made further yards. When the ball went to the opposite wing some slick handling put Laing in the clear to scamper under the posts, Hall converting. 7-0. Wilmslow had a period of pressure and kept Park in their half of the field however a turnover allowed Park to get back into the Wilmslow half. A good break by Tyrer made his way into the Wilmslow 22 and when the ball found Roberts a deft chip to the corner found prop Hughes who gathered the ball and went in at the corner, Hall converting. 

Half time 14-0.

 
Wilmslow started the half brightly and a 40m run from their second row but them in the Park 22. A line out in the Park 22 gave Wilmslow a free kick which was quickly taken and the Wilmslow forward crashed over to score near the posts and duly converted, 14-7. Wilmslow were now in the ascendency and Park’s ill-discipline was costing them dearly. Wilmslow got a line out in the Park 22 but a mix up saw the ball land with Pete Doolan who took the opportunity to gallop 40m upfield before off-loading to Ashcroft who the fed the rampaging prop Whitt who took the ball to the 22. Quickly recycled found substitute Walls who broke the onrushing defence to score in the corner, Hall hit the post with the conversion, 19-7. Wilmslow did not go down though and were straight back on the attack. More ill-discipline by Park gave Wilmslow territory and a quickly taken penalty led to their next try, converted. 19-14. Wilmslow were now confident and were back on the attack and only some great defence on the Park line kept them out for a sustained period of time. Park then managed to break out forcing the error from Wilmslow and a scrum just inside the Park half. A cheeky chip and gather from fly half Roberts took the Park attack forwards and forced a goal line drop out by Wilmslow. Direct from the kick it was gathered by the rampaging Witt who stormed through the defence to score under the posts, Hall converting. 26-14. This turned into the last play of the game and Park had managed the bonus point victory.

 
Not the best display but to win ugly and get the bonus point is the desired outcome, but plenty to work on for next week.