Excellent win for Park

Westoe . . . . . . . . . . 8ptsANOTHER excellent Birkenhead Park performance halted Westoe's unbeaten start to the season in Saturday's North One match at the Upper Park.

Park were ahead within a minute of the kick-off when skipper Dave Ibbotson charged down a clearance kick and scored the try himself. Tony Handley increased the lead with a penalty after eight minutes. Park lost scrum-half Steve Lowry, who had shown some great touches, with an ankle injury after only 20 minutes.

Park continued to dominate as Westoe struggled to contain the lively Birkenhead forwards and two more Handley penalties put them firmly in control.

Westoe then had their best spell as they began to dominate line-out possession. Centre Ian Tulloch scored a well worked try for the visitors and Johann Saaiman added a penalty to close the Park lead to 14-8 at half-time.

Park regained their composure and gradually wore the Westoe defence down while managing to prevent the visitors from adding to their total in the second-half. Hooker Chris Jones scored Park's second try after a forward drive mid-way through the half and Handley kicked two more penalties as the frustrated Westoe defence cracked under sustained pressure.

Westoe had hooker Nigel Douglas sent off for foul play and Handley duly obliged with a final penalty.

Park produced a controlled solid performance to account for Westoe, who have just missed out on promotion over the last two seasons.

This Saturday Park travel to Altrincham Kersal looking for a third consecutive win in North One which would keep them in touch with early leaders Kendal and Huddersfield, who are the only two remaining unbeaten sides.

It was a great team display but stand-off Tony Handley orchestrated the win with a faultless tactical display of running and kicking.