BIRKENHEAD Park dug deep into their energy reserves for a remarkable North One West League victory at a tension gripped Upper Park on Saturday.

It was a classic top-of-the-table clash with Kirby Lonsdale arriving on the Wirral just a point adrift of their rivals.

The odds looked heavily in favour of the Cumbrians as Park found themselves a man down before half-time and beginning the second period trailing 7-12.

Influential number eight Dave Ibbotson was mysteriously shown a red card possibly for a punch which did not find the target.

Tempers had by his time reached boiling point with scuffles all over the pitch in a highly-charged atmosphere mainly brought about because so much was at stake.

It seemed unfortunate Ibbotson was signalled out to take the blame with other earlier incidents going unpunished.

The card - some fealt the referee meant yellow but showed red by mistake - seemed to calm things down but certainly served to bring out the very best in Park as every player fought for every ball and made light of the 14-15 number count.

Tom Pickthall opened the scoring with a 13th minute try at a time Park were a player down through injury.

Birkenhead rallied for Ibbotson to ground the ball between the posts after a forward drive. Dave Hall converted for the lead.

Poor defence however let in Dave Barton for a second Kirby touch down with the ensuing Pickthall kick making it 7-12.

It looked a forlorn task for the home side but Hall gave them heart with a 44th minute penalty and was only just short with another effort ten minutes later.

Park were doing well territorially and took the lead approaching the final quarter. Jack Lavin after his initial run was held regained possession to surge over leaving an easy conversion for Hall.

Alas in just two minutes it became 17-17 via a breakaway visiting try by Brian Walker as Park were lacking numbers on the blind side.

Hall landed what proved a decisive penalty on 64 minutes and Park then stood strong in the face of tremendous pressure at times to post an absolutely crucial victory.

They picked up four points and the visitors one so the gap at the top is now four points but still with a long way to go.

There was encouragement for New Brighton as they saw off Vale of Lune 43-24 at Hartsfield to move out of the bottom two in the table.

The Blues produced a six try blitz for an important victory.

It was only 17-12 at the break but Brighton always seemed to have the edge although few would begrudge the visitors a bonus point gained through touching down four times.

Jon Bachus, Ned Brooks, Vin Dutton, Ben Marsh, Adam Pitt and Joe Sale were the players to go in for the local outfit. Joe Silcock added all but one conversion and also hit a penalty for good measure.

Caldy were given a tough examination by lowly Hull in National Two North but eventually prevailed 15-13 at Paton Field.

It takes them to their highest placing in the division at joint third with county rivals Chester who were just edged out by Sedgley Park in their latest outing.

Wirral had a free weekend after their National Three North clash at Sheffield Tigers was called off. The game was pencilled in for this coming Saturday.

Anselmians in South Lancashire / Cheshire One accounted for visiting Douglas 45-32 but Hoylake were outplayed at LSH and managed a consolation touch down as lost the cross river derby 5-45.

Prenton fell 0-38 at Oswestry in Division Two whilst Port Sunlight handed Collegiate a walk over because of injury problems.

The Division Three derby at Cross Lane was a close affair with Oldershaw edging the verdict 23-19 over Wallasey for a notable double.

Oxton Parkonians were pleased with a 22-12 win over Liverpool University and there was also joy for Ellesmere Port as they came aay 29-21 to the good from Congleton.

Many clubs this weekend are free of fixtures.

Caldy however continue their National Two North League campaign with a trip to Otley. It promises to be a close affair with both clubs doing well of late.

There are some other re-arranged matches in the lower leagues. Anselmians are due at Glossop in South Lancashire / Cheshire One whilst in Division Three Ellesmere Port entertain Capenhurst with Oxton Pakonians journeying to Linley.