LOCAL RUGBY ROUND-UP by Andrew Strattton

BIRKENHEAD Park can expect their biggest gate of the season on Sunday when they host the Thwaites Cheshire Cup Final between New Brighton and Chester.

Holders New Brighton, whose Jewsons National League 2 promotion hopes ended, last Saturday, with a 31-35 home defeat by Kendal, will start firm favourites, but cannot take anything for granted against the North Two League club, which is certain to play to its forward strength.

Anselmians and Prenton also meet on Sunday for a place in the final of the Cheshire Plate against either Bowdon or Stockport.

Meanwhile, Birkenhead Park and Oldershaw both lost North West One matches last weekend, but Caldy won against Ashton-on-Mersey.

Birkenhead Park gave away too many penalties against Kirby Lonsdale and failed 12-30. Peter McCrave and Jamie Pollock gained tries and Richard Farrall a conversion.

Oldershaw were always in with a chance against Penrith, but it finished 19-26 with a late interception try decisive. Martin Sutton went in twice for Oldershaw and Paul Gillett once, with Willy Gardner goaling twice.

Caldy finished 28-3 and were never in danger. There were tries via Brendan McGaffney, John Bagley and Paul Brown on his debut. Ian Cropper maintained his good kicking form with a trio of penalties and also added two conversions for good measure.

There were no problems for Wirral in South Lancashire/Cheshire One as they whipped Eagle 39-13. Lee Wakelan grabbed a hat-trick of tries. Colin Davies and Andy McKinney also got in on the act and Simon Hignett targeted four conversions and a brace of penalties.

Anselmians lost 18-27 to Crewe and Nantwich. Mark Williams and Ben Peel touched down and Chris Wells kicked a conversion and two penalties.

It was better for Wallasey, who finished 16-10 to the good against Newton-le-Willows. Barry Kniveden landed a trio of penalties and converted a try by Kevin Parker.

Gary Fisher gained a try for Prenton and Mike Penny a conversion and a penalty in a 10-30 loss at Shell Stanlow in Division Two.

Parkonians were edged out 11-12 at Marple, Andy Evans getting a try and a brace of penalties.

Hoylake gained a 32-5 victory at Didsbury in Division Three. Trevor Boult went in twice and John McNeil, Dave Cooke and Fran Cassidy once each. Richard Young added a penalty and two conversions.

Port Sunlight went under 13-16 to Douglas. Liam Girven and Robin Ward were try scorers with John Skarratts adding a penalty.

There is rugby action at Reeds Lane this evening (Wednesday), when Cheshire Under-21 meet Cumbria in their third match in the Under-21 Northern Group Championship. Cheshire already have two wins to their credit.

The senior Cheshire side meets North Wales at Wrexham also this evening in a county championship warm-up clash.

Saturday games include Birkenhead Park at Lymm, Caldy at Warrington and Hoylake v Parkonians.

Meanwhile, Birkenhead Park staged another successful North of England Schools' Invitation Sevens on Sunday with 40 teams competing. The powerful Stonyhurst lifted the Bowring Trophy for the third time in five years, beating Sedbergh in the final 43-7.

Their two previous wins had also been at the expense of Sedbergh. Stonyhurst rattled up in excess of 300 points in their seven matches.

Wirral and Birkenhead progressed to the knock-out stages of the Boodle and Dunthorne Salver as group runners-up. Wirral lost to eventual winners Durham in the quarter-final. Birkenhead missed out in the semis at the hands of Solihull Sixth Form College, who could not then quite match Durham.

English Schools RFU President David Franklin presented the prizes.

RESULTS:-

Bowring Trophy Quarter-finals - Stonyhurst 29, Kirkham 0; Lancaster Royal 14, Trent College 29; Denstone College 14, Christ College Brecon 19; Bloxham 7, Sedbergh 31.

Semi-finals - Stonyhurst 45, Trent 12; Christ College 19, Sedbergh 26.

Final - Stonyhurst 43, Christ College Brecon 7.

Boodle & Dunthorne Salver Semi-finals - Durham 26, Merchant Taylors 15; Solihull Sixth Form College 47, Birkenhead 7.

Final - Durham 24, Solihull Sixth Form College 19.

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