PERCY PARK 9 – 15 BIRKENHEAD PARK

Percy Park’s Triple A rating was downgraded after the fifth straight entry in the debit column. After a much improved display last week, Park lapsed back, into one dimensional rugby, and played into the hands of the bigger pack of the side from the Wirral.

 Park made 2 changes to last week’s side with both centres Adam Morton and Ali Blair being unavailable. In stepped Phil Morse and James Bird was moved from the wing.

 The visitors who were delayed due to the M62 being closed, showed no ill effects from their long journey, and scored inside 2 minutes without Percy Park touching the ball. An excellent kick off with the optimum hang time allowed Birkenhead to win the ball and go through several phases before Percy Park were penalised for offside on the wing of all places! The kick to the corner resulted in a catch and drive with Park’s nemesis Stuart Brown controlling the ball at the back of the maul and going over for the try. It was evident from the attempted conversion that the visitors were without a recognised place kicker.

Rockcliff Rangers 6 v 13 Percy Park Penguins

Percy Park turned up at Rockcliffe to begin the second stage of the defense of the title they won last year and against the opponents they had defeated a Year earlier.

 The day was bright and crisp with little to no Breeze and Park began well by wining the toss and never gave up any other winning position from then on.

 The game was being officiated by the youthful Bill Colbeck (76) a former 1^st Team player for Rockcliffe back in the day of George Carr, Jack Jackson, Bill Stratford and Co.

 Park kicked off up the slight incline and with the win in their faces and from the off set it was the Penguins who took control of all things forward, martialled by the vocal opinions of Mark Carr, playing in the back row.

 Park opened their account with a Turner penalty after some sustained pressure to ensure they left the Rock 22 with points on the board. Immediately from the kick off Dixon barreled his way forward gaining good yards and well supported by McConway and Casey creating line out time in Rocks 22. From the ensuing line out good pressure from McConway saw the Rock scrum half get poor ball and Caey picked up and drove over for the first try of the game with only 10minutes on the clock.

 At this point, with rolling subs being allowed, saw the first change with Carr going off for the more youthful Scott., who impressed throughout his 70 minutes on the pitch and one to watch for in the future.

 For some reason park seemed to lose a little discipline and conceded too many soft and pointless penalties allowing Rockcliff back into the game with two successive penalties from their fly half one of which struck from just inside the Park half.

 Park introduced another couple of changes prior to the break with Douthwaite and Kemp replacing Cairns and Brack respectively.

 At half time stern words from Carr and his own reintroduction for the injured McConway, sparked the Park Team back into life and strong running from the centres, Fairlamb and Atherton, giving Park good field position and making Rock have to all the play from deep in the 22.

 Eventually this pressure paid with a catch and drive from the Park 8 saw Dixon driven over for try number two and stretch the lead to 7 at 13-6.

 Rockcliffe continued to throw all they could at the Vets but defense held firm and finally after a Rock infringement the ball was kicked to touch and the whistle blew to end what had been an entertaining encounter for some.