Birkenhead Park RFC

Sat 4 Mar 2023

Rochdale

15 - 10

(HT 10-0)

Birkenhead Park

Rochdale

Birkenhead Park

Rochdale 15 Birkenhead Park 10

After the disappointment of last weeks last minute loss Park made the journey along the M62 to Rochdale in what proved a frustrating afternoon. Park kicked off and were soon on the back foot when Dale 2^nd row broke upfield they were unable to breach the Park defence and the lines were cleared. A silly penalty in midfield allowed Dale back in the Park 22 but poor passing from Dale allowed Park to break out and a hack on from winger Bowen unfortunately went into touch when he was free and clear. Numerous mistakes from both sides didn’t let the game flow and when there were some afters on the floor the ref despite it being nothing more than some rolling and grabbing sent a prop from either side to the bin. Neither side were able to take advantage with mistakes on both sides but Dale got a line out some 10m out from the Park line. After a series of pick and go’s they were unable to breach the defence and decided to move the ball wide where they found space and the Dale winger had no one to beat as he scored out wide, 5-0. Dale were back in the Park 22 again and despite losing the lineout the clearance from Park found the Dale backs with space ib front of them, As the ball was moved out an inside pass found the space and when the winger received the ball back he was able to scamper in out wide again, 10-0. Park were unable to put together a number of phases before a mistake occurred and were unable to exert consistent pressure on the Dale line. With mistakes on top neither side were able to add to the scoreboard.

The 2^nd half didn’t start much better for Park when looking to get out of their half the ball was spilled and moved out wide and some inter-passing on the wing led Dale to find the gap and another try, 15-0. Park finally managed to do something attacking the Dale and with a dominant scrum had some ball for a change. With ball to hall then on to Roberts led to a deft chip to the corner which Bowen took on the run to score, 15-5. Park went on the attack and at a breakdown another set of handbags broke out with a player from either side being sent to the bin again. Park thought they had broken through again when Dooley was away to feed Roberts inside but were called back for a forward pass. A lot of the game was now being played between the 22m lines with some good carries by Mooney and Ashcroft giving Park some good field position. After a series of attacks the ball found Roberts who with another neat chip found winger Dooley who stepped the defence to score out wide, 15-10. Park with time running out were beginning to get on top and were camped in the Dale 22 being given a number of penalties in good positions. Taking the scrums Park exerted a lot of pressure but were unable to make it count and Dale were able to keep them out with the ref blowing for full time.

Another tight game which Park lost this time due to the number of errors rather than the number of penalties. A number of players stepped up from the 2’s which is good to see with wingers Dooley and Bowen giving a good account of themselves and a try apiece. Young Marcus Barnes showed he has great potential for the future and hopefully Park can shake off this malaise and paly the rugby we know we can over the next couple of weeks to finish the league season strongly.