A REMARKABLE closing spell by Birkenhead Park not only brought them victory over promotion rivals Penrith at the Upper Park but also a try bonus point which leaves them one victory away from taking the North One West League title.

It was a tremendous team effort but there was no doubting the Man of the Match as number eight forward Dave Ibbotson posted a hat-trick of touch downs.

The final score was 30-14 after the local side had trailed 6-14 going into the last quarter.

It was a tense, dour affair with so much at stake for both sides. Dave Hall landed an early penalty for Park but two kicks gave the visitors a 6-3 interval lead.

Penrith added to their advantage with a 50th minute penalty followed by an unconverted try and it looked bleak for Birkenhead.

Suddenly the home side was stirred into action. Ibbotson twice touched down from driving mauls and then completed his try bonanza from a push over scrummage. Hall managed two of the goals and there was still time for Joe Spencer and Lawrence Thomas to set up a final try for Elliott Madgin.

Penrith remain third in the table but now with no chance of a top two place.

New Brighton at the other end of the table fell 15-24 at Eccles. It leaves them second bottom three points behind Bolton who are immediately above them.

Late selection problems and dreadful wet and windy conditions did not help the Blues cause and the award of two penalty tries to Eccles was also a telling factor.

Against the elements Brighton kept the home lead to 12-3 at the break. Later Tim Oakes and Phil Buckley touched down and Joe Silcock managed one conversion to add to a first-half penalty.

But Eccles took their try tally to four to ensure victory and a bonus point and it was a long trek home for the Wiral squad. Eccles who are fourth bottom now have seven points in hand over the Blues.

Caldy were on the wrong side of a 15-10 scoreline at Sedgley Park in National Two North but keep fourth place in the table.

Wirral in National Three North found high riding Sandal too strong and went under 8-24.

Hoylake posted a timely 14-3 victory over Sefton at Melrose Avenue to boost hopes of avoiding a bottom two finish in South Lancashire/Cheshire One.

They thoroughly deserved the four points and possibly should have won by a greater margin after dominating much of the play.

Matt O’Hanlon gave Hoylake the perfect start with a third minute corner touch down. A James McLaughlin penalty made it 8-0 before Sefton struck a similar score to make it 8-3 at the break.

A brace of final quarter penalties by McLaughlin ensured the points. Hoylake still have a game in hand over their close rivals but are having difficulty agreeing a new date with Douglas and the RFU.

Anselmians figured in a high scoring affair at home to Manchester before being edged out 38-42.

Prenton lost 10-22 at Trentham in Division Two and there was a heavy 0-66 reverse for Port Sunlight at Tyldesley.

The Division Three locals did better. Oldershaw came away 48-8 to the good from Capenhurst, Ellesmere Port despatched Linley 36-12 and Wallasey beat Ramsey 24-10.

All the local clubs have a free weekend over Easter before crucial matches later in the month will decide promotion and relegation .