Billingham 13 West Park 16 THE North East has never been a happy hunting ground for West Park.

But after a much-interrupted coach journey to Teeside on Saturday they left it to the last minute of injury time to snatch this NPI cup tie from a decidedly 'hyped up' Billingham side who belied their position of three league levels below.

In surprisingly good conditions, Park spent some time finding their 'sealegs' after the journey but led 6-3 at half time from two Glen Fletcher penalties to one by home kicker Duane Revill. However the expected step-up in pressure from West Park, despite extending their lead to 9-3, did not come as the Billingham forwards were operating better as a unit and their half-backs, both with experience at a higher level with nearby Stockton, began to dominate play.

Poor ball retention and inaccurate kicking handed the advantage to Billingham and after two penalty misses by Park, a close in line out saw the Teesiders hooker Mick Conlon driven over, the conversion putting them 13-9 ahead and a fourth round shock dismissal for Park on the cards.

At last the long awaited opening out by Park started and after two near misses skipper Sean Fletcher was driven over in the fourth minute of added time, Glen Fletcher's conversion proving to be the last kick of the match. As the competition now widens to include both North and Midlands clubs West Park will await today's fifth round draw.

This Saturday Oldershaw visit Red Rocks in a North West One league game, kick off is 2.30pm.

Other Saturday scores: West Park 2nd 10 Orrell Anvils 15, St Edwards O B 2nd nil West Park 3rd 10.

Sunday junior scores: West Park under 10s 50 Tarleton 10, West Park under 12s 42 Tarleton 36, West Park under 14s at Eccles won 43-5, West Park under 15s at Eccles won 18-12.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.