New Brighton

. . . . 15 ptsBirkenhead Park . . . 37 ptsAN excellent second-half display brought Birkenhead Park not only the spoils against their old rivals but also North One League safety as they preserved their status for a sixth successive season.

With the confirmation of Chester's relegation, Park are now the longest surviving side in North One.

A Tony Handley break put centre Steven Dodd over for the opening try after 10 minutes, but New Brighton hit back with a try by prop John Williams from a line out.

Park had good pressure which went unrewarded but the Blues broke out and full-back Ali Childs scored with Gaz Simpson converting.

A searing break by Dodd then put winger Greg Hughes away for a fine Park try, but it proved to be Dodd's last contribution as he limped off with a hamstring injury. Simpson then kicked a penalty as New Brighton went into the break 15-10 to the good.

The second-half belonged to Park as they took a firm grip on proceedings, starting with Greg Hughes's second try following a well-timed Handley pass soon after the restart. Handley converted and then kicked a penalty to increase Park's lead.

Handley made good use of the strengthening wind to keep the pressure on the Blues and he crowned an excellent afternoon with a try under the posts, following good work by scrum-half Steve Lowry.

Park showed no mercy as the forwards took complete control to score further tries through substitute Shaun Gallagher and skipper Dave Ibbotson.

Park now only have one North One League match remaining, at home to Kendal on Saturday, April 14 - the day of the annual reunion. With only one game in April, it is going to be an unusually quiet end to the season, although Park have their tour to Warsaw still to look forward to in May.