Birkenhead Park 15, Altrincham Kersal 24

BIRKENHEAD Park suffered defeat at the Upper Park against Altrincham Kersal who completed the double over a lacklustre and ill-disciplined home team.

Park produced an excellent opening try when a strong run by Lucas Titherington put Sam Tyrer clear up the wing. Altrincham responded and a driving maul saw flanker Matt Moss touch down to level matters.

Dave Hall kicked a penalty to edge Park ahead and a good run by Tyrer paved the way for a second home try by centre Ollie Jacques.

Park were 15-5 up at the break but a woeful second half display handed the points to the visitors.

Park barely managed to get out of their half and a try by prop JP Singleton converted by Sam Gallimore closed the gap to three points.

Somehow Park managed to cling on to the lead going into the closing stages and on a rare incursion into the Kersal half they went close to going two scores up but the final pass went astray and the visitors cleared the danger.

Altrincham eventually took the lead with six minutes remaining with a try by centre Alex Faupal and then claimed a final try by Jack Wise to punish a disheartened home team further.

Park were unable to build on their first half performance and failed to apply any meaningful pressure in the second half.

Park looked rusty after the festive break but will hope for improvement next week when they travel to Warrington on Saturday.