IT was a bitter sweet derby occasion at Hartsfield on Saturday.

Sweet for Birkenhead Park as victory assured them of the North One West League title and promotion to National Three North.

Bitter for New Brighton as defeat means they exit the division at the wrong end.

Birkenhead eased home 33-22 to finally bury the huge disappointment fealt twelve months previously when they lost a promotion play off against Huddersfield YM.

They quickly took charge of proceedings on a windy afternoon near the seaside and there was to be no way back for the Blues.

New Brighton remain an ambitious club but will have to build again this time in South Lancashire / Cheshire One League which will give them derbies with Anselmians and hopefully Hoylake.

Park with the elements in their favour in the opening period built up a more than useful 20-0 interval advantage and then produced an excellent third quarter which restricted the home side to a Joe Silcock penalty answered by a similar kick by Dave Hall.

The Upper Park outfit virtually put the outcome beyond doubt with unconverted tries by Dave Ibbotson on 65 minutes and Joe Spencer with a superb solo effort on 70 minutes.

Brighton to their great credit never threw in the towel and enjoyed an excellent last few minutes which saw them register touch downs via Sean Ellis, Jack Charlesworth and Adam Pitt plus two conversions by Silcock.

But is was not quite enough to earn them any bonus points as their neighbours registered a timely double.

Peter White who came on as replacement after a nasty injury sustained by Sam Chidley and Ibbotson crossed for Park in the first period.

Hall added the extras and also secured a brace of penalties.

Caldy were made to battle hard for a 19-14 victory over lowly Birmingham and Solihull at Paton Field in National Two North and sit fourth in the table.

Wirral in National Three North found title chasing Sale too strong and went under 25-44 at Clatterbridge.

Hoylake lost 22-34 at West Park in South Lancashire / Cheshire One and have a battle on their hands to avoid the drop.

They are currently second bottom but have a game in hand and still have a great chance of reaching safety.

Anselmians helped Hoylake by winning 24-19 at third bottom Manchester Medics whose last game is away to table toppers Altrincham Kersal.

In Division Two there were defeats for Port Sunlight 17-25 at home to Trentham and Prenton 26-55 against visiting Southport.

Sunlight are safe but Prenton need more points to assure survival.

In Division Three leaders Ellesmere Port came away 35-15 to the good from Liverpool University and head the Division.

Wallasey are third after a 29-22 win at Knutsford but cannot reach a promotion place.

Oxton Parkonians enjoyed a 40-5 success over Capenhurst at Holm Lane but Oldershaw fell 13-24 against Congleton.

Three Cheshire competitions were completed at Winnington Park over Easter. Oldershaw lifted the Plate with a 32-15 derby success over Oxton Parkonians.

Southern Nomads from the Isle of Man claimed the Bowl in a tense 12-11 finish against Ashton on Mersey.

The Vase went to Wilmslow who saw off Crewe and Nantiwch 37-0.

It is the last league Saturday for most clubs this weekend. Caldy who have two games to go are due at Preston Grasshoppers. Wirral visit Rossendale.

Birkenhead Park will be under no pressure against Kendal at the Upper Park but want to keep their unbeaten home record and also put on a show for those attending a Past Players Re-Union.

New Brighton finish away to Wilmslow.

Other matches include Anselmians v Northwich, Hoylake v Winnington Park, Prenton at Ormskirk, Port Sunlight at Southport, Congleton v Oxton Parkonians and Ellesmere Port v Oldershaw.

Wallasey do not have a game.