Hull . . . 0pts Birkenhead Park . . . 51pts

AFTER an indifferent start to the season, Birkenhead Park sprung into top form as they routed a shocked Hull team, scoring eight tries without reply in Saturday's North One League fixture at Haworth Park.

It was a great team display, but stand-off Tony Handley orchestrated the win with a faultless tactical display of running and kicking. Hull missed an early penalty but after 10 minutes Handley dropped a goal to open the scoring.

The game was all but won by half-time as Park built up a 29-0 lead. Flanker Njike Tchakoute was the first try scorer following a line-out catch and drive. Good work by Handley and Jon Brennand put winger Greg Hughes over for the second try on the half hour. Jon Sewell was next to score as he supported a backs move to run round under the posts. Hooker Chris Jones claimed the fourth try just before half-time, with Handley converting three times.

Park moved further ahead when Jones won a strike against the head and Handley's kick set up the position from which Greg Hughes scored his second try. Jones then grabbed his second off the back of a line-out to take the score to 41-0. A Tchakoute pick up at the base of the scrum made space for full-back Marc Harris to score the next try out wide and Hughes should have completed his hat-trick but spilled the ball over the line after a great passage of play.

The scoring was completed when prop Gareth Jones drove over after a five metre scrum to end a very satisfactory afternoon for Park, who will be hoping to carry on their good form against Westoe on Saturday at the Upper Park (kick-off 3pm).