West Park 49 Birchfield 3 ALTHOUGH visitors Birchfield lie three divisions lower than West Park in the Thwaites Northern Leagues they gave as good as they got in the first half of this NPI Fourth Round cup-tie.

Including several former West Park players, they took a three point lead as early as the second minute and although conceding a try to Park fly-half Dominic McCormack, Birchfield used wind advantage well to put the Park line under pressure.

Half-time arrived with scores still at 5-3.

As Park made the first of a series of substitutions, Neil Slater came on for scrum-half Danny McCormack who was playing his last game before leaving for Australia. At last Park began to take control and fine forward play by Chris Pennington and Steve Bibby produced quick possession, Slater and Don McCormack sending Martin Strett in at the corner. Chinks were beginning to appear in what had been a solid Birchfield defence as a clear move involving Slater, Lawrenson and Bibby saw Strett put winger Chris Stabler in at the corner, Fletcher's most difficult kick brought him his first success as the floodgates suddenly opened. Osborne scored a 30 metre solo try converted by Fletcher who also added two penalties both for offside by a now desperate visitors defence. As Liam McLoughlin, Paul Higham and Rob Singleton came off the bench, good handling saw Pennington put Osborne over for his second try, converted by Fletcher, who then finished off a passing movement to score, convert and then complete the scoring with an unconverted try to bring his personal tally to 24 points. Although the backs did all the scoring Park owed much to a powerful pack display more especially after the interval.

This Saturday West Park entertain Birkenhead Park (2.30pm).

Other Saturday scores: West Park 2nd 15 Broughton Park 9, Moore 2nd 35 West Park 10, West Park 4th 50 Moore 3rd nil.

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