BIRKENHEAD Park eased to their eighth win in North One West League to stay in top place in the table just a point ahead of Widnes.

Wirral were held to a 10-10 draw by Vale of Lune and are third four points behind their local rivals.

It finished 27-3 at the Upper Park where the second-half was played out in very unfavourable conditions. The home side was only 12-3 to the good thanks to tries via Joe Spencer and Lawrence Cowan plus a conversion by Danny Rich deputising for injured skipper Dave Hall..

Wigton managed a penalty but could not capitalise later on some good periods of pressure and Park eased clear with a couple of touch downs from Sam Chidley and another from Gavin Scott.

Wirral engaged in a dogged affair against Vale of Lune and left it late to secure a draw.

The visitors built up a 10-0 interval lead with a converted try and a penalty. James Annetts registered a penalty for Wirral soon after the break but it was not until the 78th minute they managed a try via Rob Pearl.

It was then down to Annetts to add the conversion for a hard earned share of the spoils.

Caldy failed to deliver at Bromsgrove as they lost for the seventh time in National Two North League.

Bromsgrove stepped over them in the lower half of the table with a 28-3 victory with Caldy having just one kick to show for their efforts.

A David Hughes’ try and two penalties from Rich Mahony (ex Caldy) gave Bromsgrove an 11-3 interval lead. Rich Vasey registered a penalty for the Paton Field side.

They expected to get right back in contention in the second period with the windy elements in their favour but it was Bromsgrove who re-acted better to the conditions and stretched away with further tries from Hughes and Paul Norris plus another penalty and a conversion via Mahony.

New Brighton continue to thrive in South Lancashire/Cheshire One. They saw off Glossop 18-7 at Hartsfield and now have a nine points advantage at the top.

It was never easy with the conditions having a major say. Joe Silcock opening the scoring with a home touch down but Glossop were ahead at the break thanks to a converted try.

The Blues had the elements in their favour for the second period and were quick to take advantage as two penalties by Steve Dean took them 11-7 ahead.

It was still anybody’s game but Brighton capped a gritty display with their second try via Joe Cardus in the final quarter with Dean adding the extras for good measure.

Anselmians are fourth after beating Tyldesley 30-12 but Hoylake dropped down after crashing 11-40 at Wigan.

There was a ninth successive defeat for Wallasey in Division Two. They had to settle for a couple of kicks at Bowdon who were 37-6 to the good at no side.

Port Sunlight were happy with a 24-5 success over visiting Marple.

Prenton stay top of Division Three after a 31-16 win against Capenhurst.

Ellesmere Port came away 22-7 to the good from Liverpool University to sit fourth in the division.

Oldershaw were pipped 15-19 at Buxton. Oxton Parkonians did not play.

Caldy welcome Harrogate this Saturday as the league season continues in earnest and a victory for them should be on the cards.

Birkenhead Park head to East Cheshire for a tricky engagement against Wilmslow with Wirral entertaining lowly Altrincham Kersal.

Further down the scale matches include Hoylake v Ashton on Mersey, New Brighton v Winnington Park, Anselmians at Sefton, Port Sunlight at Collegiate, Wallasey at Oswestry, Ellesmere Port v Buxton, an Oldershaw v Oxton Parkonians derby, and Prenton at Trentham.