TWO long-established Wirral clubs aiming to climb back up the rugby union league ladder figured in an intriguing South Lancashire / Cheshire Three derby at Belvidere.

Home side Oldershaw eventually prevailed 20-18 against old rivals Wallasey, but it could so easily have been 20-20.

Wallasey had a dreadful seaon in 2013/14 when they had to wait until the final day to record a first win but on this evidence the recovery is well and truly under way.

Mark Hallam struck an early penalty for Shaw but Wallasey responded with a well taken try by John Francis when set up by Greg Hughes.

Matt Climo converted but Hallam struck again before the end of the first quarter and then converted after a James Griffiths touch down in the 31st minute.

Two penalties by Climo soon after the interval levelled things out and Wallasey with the wind at their backs looked favourites to prevail.

But Oldershaw dug deep and strong pressure when the visitors had a man serving time in the bin culminated in a Richie Lloyd-Jones try plus the extras from Hallam.

Wallasey lost another player to the bin for the dying stages but great spirit and determination saw the pack drive over from a line-out following a penalty kick to the corner with Andy Mason at the bottom of the bunch.

It was then down to Climo with the very last kick to try to level the scores but he pulled the effort wide and Oldershaw heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Both sides deserved great credit for their efforts in a full booded derby.

It was not exactly what the purists would have demanded but it was interesting, exciting and whole hearted with the outcome always in the balance.

Generally it was not a happy Saturday for the Wirral clubs with the other ten all suffering defeats.

Caldy fealt the full might of Leicester Lions in National Two North but at 19-33 were far from disgraced.

Wirral could not quite match Sheffield Tigers at Clatterbridge in National Three North with the visitors going away 30-20 to the good.

Birkenhead Park figured in a dour defence dominated affair at Kirby Lonsdale in North One West and just managed to seure a bonus point in a 6-13 defeat. Dave Hall landed a brace of kicks.

New Brighton battled hard at Vale of Lune where it eventually finished 33-23 to the home outfit.

There was plenty of entertainment at Melrose Avenue in South Lancashire / Cheshire One but there was another reverse for Hoylake this time 36-47 against high riding LSH.

Anselmians headed to the Isle of Man and went down 16-37 against Douglas.

Division Two scores included Port Sunlight 18, Collegiate 50 and Prenton 15, Oswestry 29.

Other results in Division Three included Liverpool University 20, Oxton Parkonians 17 and Ellesmere Port 20, Congleton 21.

Caldy are on the road to Hull this coming Saturday and Wirral head for Billingham.

There are home matches for Birkenhead Park against Eccles and New Brighton against Broughton Park.

Lower down the scale fixtures include Anselmians v Bowdon, Hoylake at Manchester, Prenton at Orrell, Port Sunlight at Oswestry, Wallasey v Ellesmere Port and an Oxton Parkonians v Oldershaw derby.