ANSELMIANS won local bragging points as they saw off rivals Birkenhead Park 26-23 in a thrilling Regional 2 North West clash.

The home side managed to work themselves into good early positions but the Park defence stayed intact until the seventh minute when from a five metre match and drive, Tom Gilbert came up with the score and Dai Morely converted to make it 7-0.

Park were giving away silly pens and after 15 mins, Saints made it 10-0 with an easy three points.

The home side were beginning to control possession but suffered a lapse in concentration after 20 mins when Park managed to intercept near the halfway line and race in under the posts to make it 10-7.

Saints restored their lead when Danny Salisbury was at the back of the driving maul to touch down with Morley adding the extras for a 17-7 advantage.

Two Park penalties either side of half time took the score to 17-13 before Park fashioned a good try on 57 minutes to take the lead 20-17.

Saints kicked penalties in the 65th & 73rd minutes to take the score to 23-20 but Park came back with a penalty of their own to make the scores level with just two minutes on the clock.

With seconds left, a Park player strayed into an offside position and the home crowd took a deep breath as Morley slotted home the winning penalty 26-23 for an excellent victory.