Birkenhead park 25 - Kendal 14

INJURY-hit Birkenhead Park produced one of their best displays of the season to overcome second-place Kendal at the Upper Park.

Park lost prop Matt Ibbotson in the warm-up, which added to the difficulty of the task ahead with James Millward taking the hooking role and Peter Doolan switching to prop with veteran Andy Finneran being drafted in as emergency replacement.

Park had the best start when centre Owain Davies, who had made his debut the previous week, broke through a tackle and raced 40 metres for a great score converted by Dave Hall.

Hall added a penalty and mid way through the half the Park forwards drove deep into the Kendal 22 before flanker Sean Mooney broke off to score Park's second try.

Hall again converted and then landed a long range penalty to put the home side firmly in control with a 20-0 lead at half-time.

Kendal started the second-half with renewed vigour and winger Daniel Shorrock beat two defenders to score a try converted by Chris Park.

Kendal made good use of the wind to keep the pressure on but Park gained a crucial score when lock Paul Hellier finished off a series of pick and go moves. Some great defensive work kept the visitors at bay as Park absorbed the pressure.

Park had a number of promising forays into Kendal territory but were repeatedly penalised. However, it was not until the closing minutes that Kendal managed a spectacular consolation try when scrum half Lewis Kincart gathered a chip over the Park defence and outpaced the cover defence.

Garin Roberts again impressed at stand off with Dai Morgan, Mattt Waddington and Finn Laing all doing well in a much changed back line.

Director of rugby Martin O'Keefe said: "Overall we were good value for a great win particularly with so many changes."

This Saturday Park's good form will be further tested at Waterloo which promises to be a rousing local derby with Loo one place above Park in the North 1 table.