West Park 8 Birkenhead Park 22

PARK'S recent run of injuries continued as both regular stand-offs were ruled out forcing Mark Turner's switch from full back and Chris Myers being called up to replace him.

An early penalty by Andy Sontar gave West Park the lead with Steve Bibby being held up over the try line in an early attack. After a similar near miss at the other end Stuart Crompton equalised with a penalty.

It was Phil Houlton's final game before retirement in the green and gold jersey after over 300 games and 100 tries but the flanker found himself spending 10 minutes in the sin bin for a technical infringement at the tackle.

Houlton's resumption saw home scrum half Darren Wilson make a fine break direct from a scrum on the '22' for a typical individual try which was unconverted, West Park reaching half time with an 8-3 lead.

There had however been ominous signs of the strength of the Birkenhead pack and a line-out catch and drive in the left hand corner frequently West Park's Achilles heel in the past brought a try by visitors skipper Chris Jones converted by Crompton.

In almost a repeat of their form in their last two games West Park's second half display looked typically 'end of season' and another catch and drive try in the same area of the field brought Jones a second converted try as West Park found themselves down to 13 with Newman and Leadbetter in the 'bin' accompanied by Birkenhead wing Hancock.

Chris Planchant's try from a driving maul brought down the curtain on a league season which promised much but found Bradford and Bingley and Cleckheaton far and away uncatchable at the top of North One.

The prospect of formidable opponents in relegated Preston Grasshoppers and Liverpool St Helens and promoted Hull and Altrincham Kersal to be encountered next season means Park will need to use the close season to rebuild their recently injury hit side especially in the pack.

Other results: De La Salle 1st 43 West Park Warriors 8, De La Salle 2nd 5 West Park 3rd 24.