Birkenhead Park RFC

Congratulations to our 1st XV on winning the Cheshire Vase last night by beating Crewe & Nantwich 21-10 

Some photos can be found in the gallery section

CREWE & NANTWICH 10 BIRKENHEAD PARK FC 21

This was the 3^rd meeting this season between the two teams with park having won both of the earlier ones, the most recent one saw Park grab victory in the dying seconds of the game to provide heartbreak for C&N. Park’s performances in recent weeks have been less than outstanding but they have battled for 80 minutes t grab positive results. C&N were on a role having turned over Bowdon last weekend with an excellent display and were looking for revenge after our last meeting. The 4G pitch at Chester would be a different playing surface compared to the mud bath at the Upper Park 3 weeks ago.

C&N kicked off and went deep which was collected on the run by Bennett who took the ball to the opposition. C&N were caught out by his pace and power as he burst through would be tacklers to get to the C&N 10m line. Unfortunately the ball was lost and C&N managed to get some momentum but Park quickly forced the turnover and a penalty. Baldwin instead of taking the points kicked to the corner and park had the lineout, ball off the top found new boy Waterfield coming off the opposite wing and was brought down 5m short. Quick ball from the ruck saw Witte running a great angle and when fed by Chidley he crashed over the line, Baldwin converting, 0-7. Park fumbled the next restart and C&N had the scrum and this time they dominated it forcing the penalty. They kicked to the corner but were thwarted by Park and turned the ball over, park managed to go through the phases to exit to the half way line. C&N were now having a good spell attacking out wide and a kick through was only foiled when it ran over the dead ball line. They had another opportunity to attack from a 5m lineout but strong defence, which was prevalent throughout the game by park, forced the error. After failing with their attempts to force their way over C&N’s next penalty was a shot at goal which was slotted off the posts to close the gap, 3-7. Parks defence was in form epitomised with a dominant tackle in the midfield by Doolan taking the C&N player back 10m before being dumped. This was a face paced game as expected on this surface but Park were competing all over the field. Park when in possession were moving through the phases well with Cross having a field day with possession and centres Wellington and Davidson working in complete harmony. From a 5m lineout Park were unable to take advantage and C&N cleared to the 22m but park still had the ball. Off the top Cross ran a great line but was hauled down short as was Davidson on the next attempt and Park just couldn’t add to their tally and turned the ball over. The clearing kick was run straight back by Roscoe avoiding tacklers and onto Cross who bounced players for fun. Witte was carrying well and Baldwin was orchestrating the moves eventually feeding Waterfield who cut through the defence only to be brought down 1m short. The ball then came out and Chidley took the contact but was able to offload to Cross whose neat hands then found White who stepped inside the defence to score unopposed, Baldwin converting 3-14. C&N were not down though and they tried hard to move the ball around but some loose passing and a strong Park defence was always keeping them at bay. When Park did try and exit too some sloppy play and trying to force a pass brought them to a halt. At every opportunity C&N opted for the scrum as they were feeling dominant but this didn’t work out for them from an attacking position when park with Ibbotson, Doolan and Witte reversing the pressure and Chidley sneaking the ball back. With C&N have a lot of the ball a strong defensive set from park was keeping them in their own half unable to make that break out. Neither side however were able to add to their scores.

Park restarted with a deep kick to the C&N line and forced them to kick to just out of the 22m area. With the assistance of Park giving penalties away C&N were into the park half and pressing but again to no avail against the strong defence. C&N continued to press and Park were getting caught out at the breakdown giving them easy yards and from there a 5m lineout. From that possession C&N got a scrum and when Doolan was called for a, “short arm bind”, he was dispatched to the bin for 10 minutes. Park were a man down and were made to pay from the resulting scrum the ball went to the C&N centre cutting a line back through the defence to score, converted, 10-14. It was definitely game on now and C&N were roared on by a significant vocal contingent. Despite being a man down Park went on the attack with Cross and young Elliott making headway. When Bennett took the ball to a couple of metres out Davidson in support simply picked up and dived over the ruck to score, Baldwin converting, 10-21. It was now Park’s turn to fumble and allow C&N to attack in their 22, but time and again Park were able to recover the situation and move forward. With a man down it was hard work for Park but they stuck at it and got the benefit of the doubt in some situations which could easily have put them with fewer players. Back to full strength Park were into the game again but C&N were having a purple patch and were attacking all over, but time and again they were getting knocked back. When the rain began the mistakes increased and neither side were able to keep sustained possession enough to add to the scores although there was a lot of effort. As the clock was ticking down Park made the remaining changes to the line-up and C&N were throwing everything at the line to try and force the score. Park were holding firm and were organised in all phases. Each quick tap was snuffed out and the Park defensive line was holding firm forcing C&N backwards. When the final whistle came it was a jubilant Park squad that had a deserved victory. Credit to C&N it was an exciting game played in the right spirit and either side could have won it but this was by far Park’s best performance for some time and they thoroughly deserved their victory.

 This is the standard required for future park performances when attention is back on the league, when Waterloo are the visitors to the Upper Park. Loo currently sit 2^nd in the league and as usual will provide a stern test to Park’s title credentials.