Ilkley 17, Birkenhead Park 16

BIRKENHEAD Park lost out by a single point at Ilkley in their latest North Premier fixture and were unlucky not to come away victorious after a fighting display against the Yorkshire outfit.

After a scrappy opening by both sides Park's Simon Mason broke the deadlock with a penalty after 20 minutes only for Ilkley to hit straight back with a try from flanker Pat Power converted by Charles Morgan.

The match began to warm up as Mason crossed for the try, which he converted from wide out, from a Sam Chidley pass following good work by the forwards.

Ilkley went into the break with a 14-10 lead after winger Josh Hall beat the Park defence to score in the corner with Morgan again converting.

Park completely dominated possession in the second-half and really should have taken the spoils.

Mason put Park just a point behind with a penalty after 52 minutes but long periods of pressure went unrewarded and crucial decisions went against the visitors.

Park went close on numerous occasions before a rare incursion into the Birkenhead half brought Ilkley's only score of the second half, a penalty by Morgan.

Dave Hall narrowed the gap with a penalty but time ran out as Park searched in vain for the winning score.

For Park the veteran Mason was in commanding form at stand off but it was a good team effort with Chidley and Ollie Mabbott always to the fore.

Park spokesman George Pollock said: "We dominated possession particularly in the second half but we had no luck at all and just couldn’t get that winning score.

"A losing bonus point was scant reward for a good team display".

Park welcome Kendal to the Upper Park this Saturday and will want to put on a good display for the past players attending the annual reunion.