Park welcomed back Matt Ibbotson and students Ben Gate, Sean Lynch and Matt Waddington to a much-changed squad still missing stalwarts such as Peter & Rob Doolan, Adam Wellington and Laurence Thomas, writes Martin O'Keefe.

Birkenhead Park started the game the brighter and were on the attack for the opening 15 minutes. Winger Waddington made a fine line break before getting hauled down by a high tackle just short of the line. Hall kicked the penalty to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

This sparked some life into Penrith who then dominated the following twenty minutes scoring two tries and a penalty to lead 17-6. Hall responded with another penalty before Penrith finished the half with a try for Nicholson just before the break to lead 22-6.

Penrith started the second half well and scored the try of the game when Fearon made a forty-yard burst to score under the sticks which was duly converted to lead 29-6.

Penrith now had the four try bonus point and looked good for their win. Park did raise their game for the last 30 minutes and pounded away at the Penrith line and were now in the ascendancy.

Skipper Ollie Mabbott crashed over for a five-pointer converted by Hall, who quickly converted a penalty after the restart, as Park went in search of a losing bonus point.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as some resolute defending kept Park out.

Park spokesman George Pollock commented afterwards: “It was a disappointing day, we slipped off too many tackles and let them score four tries. 

"I was delighted by our response and we finished the game strongly but it was too little too late. Fair play to Penrith they were good value for their win.

"I must say I was pleased with the performance of the young lads Gate and Waddington who put in a real shift especially as they’ve been away all term at uni.”

Park welcome Bowden to the Upper Park next week. 2.15pm Kick off.