Bowden 14, Birkenhead Park 25

PARK were made to work hard for the bonus point victory on their first ever visit to Bowden.

In a competitive first half Park defended resolutely in the opening minutes before their forwards took control.

A strong driving maul from 40 yards was thwarted near the line but the ball was released down the backline for Park winger, Hem Johal to score in the corner in the seventh minute, conversion missed.

Park were in the ascendency and after some good interplay between backs and forwards stretched the Bowden defence and Fly half, Will Titherington finished a well taken try, converted by Jacques, on 23 minutes.

This second try sparked Bowden into life, they dominated the remainder of the first half scoring two tries of their own, firstly by McGrath and the second by Bowen both converted by Britwell.

This gave Bowden the lead 14-12 at the break.

Park increased the tempo at the start of the second half and good midfield play saw substitute prop Liam Sharples race through on the forty third minute for a try in the corner, conversion missed.

The game was now an evenly contested scrappy affair with both teams looking to kick for territory.

Park extended their lead when Ollie Jacques kicked a long range sixty-fourth-minute Penalty.

Bowden competed well but rarely threatened the Park line and it was Park who finished the game on a high, when Back row man Nick Lamming scored the Bonus Point try in the last minute to seal an excellent win on the road.

Sean Mooney was named man of the match with young full back Adam Roscoe also outstanding.

Director of Rugby Martin O'Keefe said: "It was a good win especially considering we were missing a few players.

"I am expecting our toughest assignment of the season so far when we host in form Waterloo next Saturday and we will need to be at our best." 

Park will hope to have Wellington, Hall and Dave Ibbotson back in contention.