Blackburn 16 West Park 39

THE previous league game with Blackburn back in October was a close-fought affair with a 15-12 result in West Park's favour.

Saturday's return at Ramsgreave Drive, after a tight first half, in complete contrast, proved to be a runaway victory for the Green and Golds.

Facing a stiff breeze and playing up the slope, Park's penchant for conceding penalties gave home kicker and Blackburn's player-coach Steve Kerry two successes.

Phil Lawrenson, in the unaccustomed role of first choice kicker, reduced the arrears but it was Park's teenage scrum half, Darren Wilson, who set them on the road to a half-time 8-6 lead with a scorching break, Neil Ryan's pass putting Steven Briers in for his 16th try of the season.

Lawrenson's penalty just after half time extended the lead and another try soon followed. Daz Wilson's kick-ahead was gathered by a defender who was forced to release the ball when tackled by Mark Nolan, Lawrenson was up to gather and Gary Monaghan did the rest, Lawrenson converting from wide out.

A third Steve Kerry penalty reduced the deficit to 9-18 but a now dominant West Park won good line-out ball, Carl Bibby bursting through a bevy of defenders for a try which Lawrenson convered.

Home scrum-half Paul Bleasdale gave Blackburn a glimmer of hope with an individual try, Kerry converting to make it 16-25.

But the replacement of skipper Sean Fletcher, who had led from the front throughout, by Rob Hanson failed to give Blackburn any respite from a barrage of Park attacks.

Phil Houlton stealing possession and quick passing by Neil Ryan, Ross Bell and Phil Lawrenson put Briers over in the corner, Lawrenson adding the goal from the touchline.

Then superb passing from inside their '22 put Carl Bibby clear on the wide outside and Ryan accepted the inside pass to complete the try count, Lawrenson's sixth success from seven attempts composed the final scoreline.

In essentially a team effort, mention must be given to the Park back-row as an effective unit, scrum-half discovery Daz Wilson and forward stalwart Carl Wales.