BIRKENHEAD Park moved a step closer to securing a promotion play off spot with an emphatic 71-10 victory over relegated Eccles.

Park laid on an impressive display for the past players attending the annual reunion in perfect conditions at the Upper Park.

Park started slowly and Eccles took the lead with a penalty by stand off George Oakey after six minutes.

It proved to be something of a false dawn for the visitors as the Park forwards moved up a gear and returning number eight Dave Ibbotson finished off some driving play with the first try after 13 minutes.

This was the start of a steady precession for the home side with hooker Stu Brown the next to cross after a driving maul.

Good hands by stand-off Danny Rich launched winger Adam Wellington from his own 10-metre line and he raced away for the third try beating the Eccles cover on the outside.

Rich then broke through the defence for a try himself before prop James Millward powered over from the 22-metre line.

Oakey gave Eccles hope as he dummied his way through for a fine individual try converting his own score too but it was Park skipper Jack Ashcroft who had the last word of the half as he scored the sixth try.

It was all one way traffic in the second half with Stu Brown grabbing his second try soon after the break.

Quick ball from Wellington put substitute Matt Walls clear for the next try and then another strong run from Wellington saw him claim his second try a few minutes later.

Dave Hall converted eight of eleven tries as Park took maximum points..

It will be an exciting climax to the season with Park defending the Cheshire Vase in the final at Crewe on Easter Monday, taking on promotion rivals Northwich.

The league matches stand at one apiece between the clubs and so a close encounter is expected in the final.