Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 15 Oct 2022

Bowdon

33 - 30

(HT 13-17)

Birkenhead Park

Bowdon

Birkenhead Park

Bowdon 33 Birkenhead Park 30

After a week off Park took the trip to Bowdon reinforced by large scale support from the Allicadoo’s due to Bowdon RUFC’s renowned hospitality. With the rain stopping just before kick off the weather was fine ready for an entertaining game. Park started brightly and were ahead in the opening 5 minutes. Park kicking off and the ball was gathered by Roscoe and set up for an attack. The ball was moved swiftly from one side to the other and a cross field kick was recovered by centre Davies who after some neat footwork managed to force himself over in the corner, Hall converting 0-7. Following the good start Park began committing infringements which would come back to pay dividends for Bowdon later in the game. Bowdon had early opportunities to score but some mistakes and strong defence kept them out. Park were penalised I front of their posts and was duly dispatched by the Bowdon centre 3-7. Park were however mainly in control and moved into the Bowdon half and were awarded a scrum 5m out from the Bowdon line. Park shoved the Bowdon pack back and when the scrum turned favourably for Park scrum half Morgan picked and scampered over to score near the posts, Hall converting 3-14.  From another attack and a strong carry into the midfield by No8 Fox led to a Park penalty which Hall duly slotted over, 3-17. Park seemed to be comfortable in all parts of play however this was perhaps there undoing as Bowdon did not lie down. They pressed into the Park 22 and from a series of penalties they got within 5m and when the ball was moved to the big Bowdon inside centre he took the ball easily over the line to score, 10-17. Park still looked comfortable but every time they took the ball into the Bowdon half the quickly undid their hard work giving away penalty and penalty. Bowdon took further advantage when they converted one of these to bring them closer to park at half time, 13-17.

The 2^nd half started no better for Park when within minutes of the Bowdon centre found a gap and with the No8 in support easily beat the covering defence and they moved into the lead, 20-17. Park kept up the attack forcing their way into the Bowdon half forcing them into mistakes and with the ref penalising Bowdon at a breakdown a penalty was awarded in front of the posts. The usually dependable Hall however pulled it wide. Normal service for Hall was resumed some 10 minutes later with another penalty opportunity suitably converted, 20-20. Bowdon pressed straight back into the Park half and when Park infringed again they were back in the lead, 23-20. From the restart Park were in the Bowdon half and Hall took advantage to level the scores again with another successful kick, 23-23. Bowdon had an opportunity to retake the lead but the penalty attempt bounced off the upright and Park were able to clear their lines. Park settled into some attacking moves and managed to get into the Bowdon 22 and kicked to the corner, the lineout led to Park driving infield but were held up and awarded a scrum 5m out. Dominant in this aspect park set up the drive and forced the Bowdon pack backwards allowing No8 Fox to pick up and score, 23-30. Park let Bowdon back into the game giving another penalty away from the kick off which was duly dispatched, 26-30. Park went back on the attack but ill-discipline allowed Bowdon to move downfield and from a number of penalty kicks managed a 5m lineout. The ball went short and the Bowdon No7 took the ball over the line to score, 33-30. This was the final move of the game.

This was a game Park should have won but the amount of ill-discipline shown by the team allowed Bowden to take the victory. Any chance of victories in the games ahead will be needing a dramatic change on behalf of the Park players.