Birkenhead Park RFC

Park were coming into the game off the back of 3 comprehensive victories and so were in confident mood but were hampered with a number missing from last weeks team . Joe Davies was back at prop, Nic Witte on the replacements bench for front row, Jewell and Perkins in the 2^nd row, Tyrer moving into the centre and young winger Dooley getting his first start. The changes were having an impact on Park and were off the pace at the start with Glossop making good yards into the Park half before park conceded a penalty which was swiftly converted, 0-3. Park however quickly came back into the game when from a scrum inside their half the ball found winger Dooley who made 40m into the Glossop 22. When the ball was recycled a good run by Hughes into the defence and he spun and fed Morgan to cut through the defence to score, Hall converting 7-3. Glossop had plenty of possession but were unable to breach the Park defence and at set piece time Park were on top putting all the Glossop ball under pressure. With a strong line defence Glossop through an errant pass and wing Dooley was quickly out the blocks to collect the ball just inside the Glossop half and showed a clean pair of heels to score under the posts, Hall converting 14-3. Fox was again in imperious form carrying and making yards at will through the Glossop defence but just without the support to finish it off. Glossop had plenty of possession but were unable to make use of it and Park were dominant in the set pieces which always gave them ball under pressure. A scrappy first half performance was leading to unnecessary penalties being given away by Park leading to a warning by the referee against further infringements. Jewell and Perkins were making a nuisance of themselves in the lineouts and Park were able to put serious pressure on in the scrums which allowed them to clear their lines time and again. When Glossop did get ball there was simply no way through the park defence and neither side was able to add to their points tally before the half’s end.

Park started the 2^nd half a lot brighter forcing Glossop into early errors allowing Roberts to put a penalty kick giving Park a lineout 10m out. Ball off the top saw R.Doolan on the peel and his off load to Tyrer saw him crash over, Hall converting 21-3. Playing against the wind now Park were unable to clear their lines and Glossop kept on the pressure. When the ball came out again from a ruck the Glossop No10 easily stepped a couple of defenders to crash over, converting his own try 21-10. From a mistake at the restart Park became camped in the Glossop half for phase after phase. When the penalty gave Park a line out some 5m out there was only one intention and with a solid take and maul set, the pack drove over for R.Doolan to claim the try, 26-10. Park were beginning to get into gear now and were attacking through the phases drawing the penalty with Glossop under pressure. With ball moved from one side to the other the gap was bound to be found and with a slick pass out the back of his hand Fox found Dooley who slipped the ball inside to the supporting Roberts to finish off the score, 31-10. Glossop didn’t give up and from a ruck on the Park 22m line a cheeky chip over the top and a wicked bounce put the ball into the Glossop’s wings hand for him to score, 31-15. Park stepped up the action then moving quickly into the Glossop 22 and when they went wide they were held up inches short. The Ref restarted with a scrum 5m out and with park in the driving seat it was a simple enough touch down for Fox at the back of the scrum as it crossed the line, 36-15.From the restart park went through the phases and a neat pass from Perkins to Mooney put him through the gap. Like a startled gazelle he made 30m up field before the inside pass found the floor. With pressure on the Glossop scrum the ball popped out and Majoribanks seized the opportunity to hack through and outpaced the defence to finish it off, Hall converting 43-15. Some good work from the two wings Dooley and Amy-Smith saw Park move to the half way and the penalty given away took Park to the Glossop 22. A couple of forward drives set the ball up nicely and when the ball was moved wide to Fox, now playing in the centres, he calmly stepped through the defence to score under the posts, Hall converting 50-15. Park were at full flow now and Glossop were back pedalling  from every attack with big carries by the forwards with Witte and Hughes to the fore, metres were being made. When the ball came to Roberts a neat chip over the top saw Cross power through to collect and score near the posts, Hall converting 57-15.

This was another impressive display from Park in particular with a number of changes from the previous two weeks. It was great to see players from the 2’s stepping up and performing well which makes the win even better. A real tester next week with the local derby against league leaders Anselmians which the boys are really looking forward to.