BIRKENHEAD Park launch their North 1 campaign on Saturday with a difficult trip to Kendal, who lost only once last season at their Mint Bridge ground.

Park completed preparations last Saturday with a comprehensive 29-0 victory at Lymm which followed on from the previous week's win at Chester.

It was the Park forwards who impressed at Lymm with tries from hooker Chris Jones, Jon Sewell, Dave Ibbotson and Steve Clarke. Winger Greg Hughes claimed a fifth try and Tony Handley kicked two conversions. Park hope to have all their new signings available for the Kendal trip, including Jones, who has returned from Waterloo and brought with him the vastly experienced Dave Blyth and back row man Njike Tchakoute.

In the backs, former Waterloo and Warrington Wolves player Gareth Davies and Gary Lunt should strengthen the midfield. Hooker Jones has already made his mark, grabbing a hat-trick of tries against Chester to add to his one against Lymm.

The Park Wanderers, having been promoted to the Bateman BMW Premiership, lost 12-0 at Chester in their first outing and obviously face a challenging task under the guidance of coaches Duncan Meehan and Ian Stanton. This Saturday, the Wanderers face a huge challenge at home to Sedgeley Park, whose senior team is a fully professional outfit in National 1.

The new Park Rugby Academy started successfully with the Senior Colts winning at home to Hoylake and the Junior Colts winning at Chester in the Lancashire and Cheshire Colts League.