West Park 22 Penrith 16

WHILE visitors Penrith fielded a full-strength side West Park were hit by late injury withdrawals with scrum-half David McCormack, injured in a midweek University game, being replaced by brother Danny, making his league debut.

But it was in the pack where Park's squad strength was tested with Jason Ratcliffe, another midweek injury victim, player/coach Steve Peters unavailable and Gareth Rowe, out with a knee injury.

Forced to risk a half-fit Andy Jones at prop, Park had to call on newest signing Scott Goodfellow who was soon into the fray, Jones breaking down after only 12 minutes with a disjointed Park already 6-0 down to two penalties by Penrith fly-half Graham Sergeant.

It was 30 minutes before Park achieved a good attacking position and a tap penalty on half-way saw Martin Strett and Carl Bibby break the defence and Danny McCormack put Phil Lawrenson in, beating Penrith full-back Richard Robinson for a try converted by Glen Fletcher. Frequent failure to retain possession at the break down made the 7-6 half-time lead by Park far from convincing against a strong-tackling Penrith defence.

After two near misses, a set scrum saw Strett pass to Steve Bibby and the big number eight forced his was over, Fletcher converting. A near miss by Penrith from a close-in line-out resulted in a third penalty for Sergeant and a 14-9 scoreline, a Fletcher penalty reinstating the eight-point cushion.

Park were conceding too many turnovers at the breakdown allowing Penrith to stay in contention until a five-man move put Fletcher over and a more secure 22-9 lead.

As always, Penrith would not give in and applied strong pressure, number eight Tom Wall scoring their only try, Sergeant converting in the last minute.

Nearest rivals Aspull, successful by 44-19 at Wilmslow, supplanted West Park at the top of the league on points difference with the encounter between the clubs at Aspull next Saturday assuming vital importance with both unbeaten.

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