Birkenhead Park 24 West Park 46

AFTER a creditable draw at Morley the previous Saturday Birkenhead Park were expected to provide stiff opposition especially as the Upper Park has not been one of West Park's favourite venues, many games there being scrappy and indisciplined. This match however proved the opposite as West Park's youthful squad romped into a decisive lead and apart from a second-half rally by the home side only lack of possession from the line-outs prevented a deluge of points for the visitors.

West Park's first attack almost brought a try only for Birkenhead to kill the ball at the ruck and enable Sontar to open West's account with a penalty. Then from a scrum on halfway Steve Bibby fed Daz Wilson for the scrum-half to scoot in from 50 metres, Sontar converting.

Next, from a turn-over gained by locks Rob Hanson and Mark Williams, slick passing put Andy Roberts away on an overlap with Mark Turner backing up on the inside for the scoring pass and an unconverted try.

Birkenhead got on the scoresheet when prop Steve Clarke was driven over, the conversion was wide. But Turner was over again before half-time with Sontar again involved.

The home side applied pressure just before the interval but West Park's defence held firm to lead 22-5.

Superb approach play after Williams had driven through the home pack was finished well by Carl Bibby, Sontar making it 29-5 with the conversion and then added a try himself.

A rare home attack brought a well-finished try by centre Martin Sutton and a kick through and follow-up brought fly-half Stuart Crompton a try converted by Stephen Ashcroft.

Another break from half way by Wilson brought West's sixth try as Phil Houlton, Tony Green and later Chris Myers came off the bench.

Wilson's third clean break allowed Hanson and Callaghan to send Andy Roberts side-stepping three would-be tacklers for a try, Ian Callaghan having the last say with the conversion, the fly half having a fine distributive game throughout.

Birkenhead's late rally brought them a last-minute reward with a second try from prop Steve Clarke, Ashcroft adding the conversion.

This was a good team display by the Green and Golds with only insecure line-out possession requiring work.

This Saturday brings North Yorkshire side Driffield as visitors, kick-off is 2.15pm.

Other Saturday results: West Park 2nd 30 Broughton Park 20, West Park 3rd 3 De la Salle 12, West Park Warriors 16 De la Salle 54.