Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 22 Oct 2022

Birkenhead Park

48 - 19

(HT 0-0)

Broughton Park

Birkenhead Park

Broughton Park

On a bright Autumnal day with a full house at the Upper Park the expectations were high for an entertaining game against Broughton Park. They had ran Anselmians close last week with only one score in it so it was going to be no easy fixture. Birkenhead could not have started better and when Broughton took a quick line out and moved the ball to the midfield some good strong defence led to the ball being turned over and getting to centre Davies. With a number of Broughton players around him a couple of strong hand offs led to him breaking free and scoring in the corner, Hall converting 7-0, 2 minutes gone. Birkenhead carried on the bright start and despite Broughton spending time in the Birkenhead 22 the defence held firm. When Birkenhead turned over a line out No8 Fox broke clear and with support from R.Doolan and a quick series of inter-passing saw Fox finish it off crashing over the line, Hall converting 14-0. Birkenhead kept up the momentum and took points when they were on offer when Broughton went for a one handed interception in the midfield Hall gratefully accepted the opportunity to slot the penalty, 17-0. There was a quiet spell in the first half with both sides attacking but not managing to breach the defences on display. Broughton had a purple period with Birkenhead assisting giving away a number of penalties to keep them in the Birkenhead half. However when Broughton gave away a penalty on the half way Hall stepped to give Birkenhead the extra 3 points, 20-0. Broughton continued to attack but the Birkenhead defence was holding firm and kept the score line as it was with no additions from either side despite Birkenhead going down to 14 players with a yellow card.

It took a bit of time to get started in the 2^nd half but an excellent 50-22 from Hall put Birkenhead 5m out from the Broughton line. After the ball was moved in field through a strong line out and scrum the ball was moved into the midfield and a sharp pass to replacement hooker Whitt saw him crash over from 5m, Hall converting, 27-0. Broughton came into the game then and with Birkenhead conceding a number of penalties to allow Broughton opportunity to get close to the Birkenhead line. With a quick tap and go they managed to force their way over and onto the score sheet, converted 27-7. Birkenhead woke up for a while and a neat 50-22 from fly half Roberts gave a line some 15 metres out. With the ball caught at the back and handed off to the peeling P.Doolan who then of loaded to captain Mooney to crash over the line 32-7, Hall converting 34-7. Birkenhead carried on the good work and following a kick through, Roscoe pinned the defence on the ground forcing the penalty. From the line out some 5m out R.Doolan broke free from the maul to force his way over, 39-7, Hall converting 41-7. Broughton never gave up and again assisted by Birkenhead giving away penalties they spent time in the Birkenhead 22.  After a number of attacks they moved the ball wide and the Broughton No10 manged to get over in the corner, converted 41-14. Birkenhead went back on the attack and from a scrum on the Broughton 22 when Roberts kicked the ball through the defence was caught in possession 5m out from the line giving the scrum to Birkenhead. With the ball held at No8 Fox’s feet and the scrum going forward the Broughton scrum half dived onto the ball before the line and a penalty try was awarded, 48-14. With time running out Broughton eventually got out of their half and managed to kick a penalty into the Birkenhead 22. With a good catch there was a drive from the Broughton forwards who eventually forced their way over the Birkenhead line, 48-19. With the remaining minutes spent in the Broughton half Birkenhead were unable to add to their score but had run out comfortable winners with a bonus point victory.

Away to Douglas next week will be a difficult trip for Birkenhead and they will again need to cut the number of penalties to come away with a victory.