Tough obstacle for Park's Twickenham bid

3:02pm Tuesday 22nd January 2008

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BIRKENHEAD Park have been given a tough assignment as they look for a place in the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup - they face a long trek to South West London on Saturday, February 23 for a quarter-final clash at Staines.

It is hardly the tie they wanted after a fine win over Luctonians in the last stage and they may have to consider an expensive overnight stay.

Staines are top of London Two North League, having lost just two matches.

But the prospect of a Twickenham final should spur on Park, who are oozing confidence just now.

Park's scheduled North One clash with LSH on Saturday was called off shortly before kick-off.

The derby is re-scheduled for February 2.

Caldy had no pitch problems at Paton Field and despatched Fylde 22-7 to distance themselves from the National Three North League relegation pack.

It was a seventh success gained through a Ben Lyon try and the conversion and five penalties from Simon Mason.

New Brighton, with a somewhat makeshift side, went under 3-20 at Sandbach.

It was another dent to their hopes of a say in the promotion issue. They failed to take scoring chances and managed just an Oliver Perryman penalty in a disappointing display.

Lowly Anselmians surprised Hoylake in a South Lancashire and Cheshire One derby at a wet Melrose Avenue. A Sean Hastewell try and the conversion and two penalties by Chris Wells brought them a welcome 13-6 victory.

Stephen Young hit a brace of penalties for the losers.

Wirral woke up too late at Sale and lost 7-28. Craig Harvey added the extras to a second-half try by Ian White.

Wallasey lost an ill-tempered Division Two clash at Southport 17-19. They had Simon Kirby and Danny Kilty dismissed for punching, but finished the stronger with the seasiders hanging on grimly to their slender advantage. Ben Edwards crossed twice for Wallasey. There was also a try for Craig Moule plus a conversion by Paul Lewis.

The Prenton v St Edwards Division Three game was among the weather casualties, but Parkonians played at home to Trentham and lost 0-25.

It was better for Port Sunlight in a Division Four 8-0 win against Merseyside Police.

Rugby action on Saturday involving Wirral clubs includes Caldy at Harrogate, Birkenhead Park at Sheffield Tigers and New Brighton v Lymm.

Lower down the scale, fixtures show Hoylake at Widnes, Anselmians v Sale, Wirral v Ruskin Park, Wallasey v Crewe and Nantwich, Parkonians at Mossley Hill, Prenton at Eagle and Port Sunlight at St Mary's.

Tonight's scheduled Floodlit Cup tie between Parkonians and Ellesmere Port has been postponed due to a waterlogged New Brighton pitch. A new date is still to be arranged.