Kicking proves the difference for Caldy (From Wirral Globe)

Kicking proves the difference for Caldy

3:30pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Rugby By Andrew Stratton

CALDY maintained their good run of results in National Two North League with a 21-10 success over Bromsgrove but there was disappointment for Birkenhead Park as they were edged out by cross river rivals Waterloo in National Three North.

There were two tries apiece at Paton Field but Richard Vasey proved the difference with two penalties, a drop goal and a conversion. The visitors did not manage one successful kick.

Gavin Roberts and Jack Parker were the players to go in for the winners and it meant a fourth win on the trot for Caldy who are comfortably placed mid table.

It finished 11-13 at the Upper Park with a long range conversion in the final quarter tipping the balance in favour of the Blundellsands side.

Liam Reeve was successful with two penalties for the visitors but a brace of kicks from Danny Rich made it 6-6 before Stu Brown crossed for Park to give them an 11-6 interval advantage.

Jack Weir got in at the corner for the Waterloo try on 68 minutes goaled by Reeve. Birkenhead exerted strong pressure late on but just could not find a winning score and had to settle for a bonus point.

There were contrasting fortunes for the two local clubs in North One West. Wirral sent Manchester packing 56-3 but Anselmians were on the wrong side of a 6-63 thrashing at the hands of visiting Vale of Lune.

Wirral enjoyed an eight-try bonanza. James Annetts (2), Chris Speed, Dan Harvey, Chris Hughes, Joe Murray, Rob Pearl and Jack Yarker were the players to cross and Craig Harvey converted the lot in an immaculate kicking display.

There was heartbreak for New Brighton in South Lancashire/Cheshire One as they missed out 39-40 in a high scoring but pantomime type bonanza at Hartsfield against Winnington Park. A late interception try handed the visitors victory.

Joe Cardus, Phil Dutton, Matt Cook and Brett Williams went in for the Blues along with Luke Thompson who converted four times and also struck a couple of penalties.

Hoylake were happy as they came away 16-8 to the good from Tyldesley. Rob Kurton gained their only try and Steve Young in his first full game after a year off through injury added the goal plus a trio of penalties.

Oldershaw will want to forget their trip to Sefton in Division Two. They managed just a consolation kick in a 3-73 landslide. Wallasey also lost but their score was more respectable 10-15 against Dukinfield at Cross Lane.

Port Sunlight despatched Linley 42-0 in Division Three and Ellesmere Port came away 15-8 winners from Congleton.

The Oxton Parkonians v Liverpool University and Prenton v Knutsford games were weather victims.

Caldy are on the road to Luictonians for their next match in National Two North this Saturday and Birkenhead Park will be up against Chester at the Upper Park in National Three North.

Leaders Chester are sure to turn up for this one after twice letting Park down over a Cheshire Cup date. Park are still to be awarded a place in the final against Caldy by the County Committee which seems remarkable in the circumstances. 

Wirral head for Sale and Anselmians for Widnes for difficult fixtures in  North One West.

Lower down the scale matches include Hoylake v Warrington, New Brighton v Broughton Park, an Oldershaw v Wallasey derby, Prenton at Linley, Port Sunlight at Liverpool University and Oxton Parkonians away to Manchester Medics.