BIRKENHEAD Park got their North One season off to a good start with an impressive victory at Blackwell Meadows.
They looked fitter and sharper than their opponents and Dave Hall helped the cause with a perfect place kicking success rate on the day.
Tony Handley made some impressive breaks from stand-off for the winners, who at times had to weather some strong forward pressure by the home side.
Nick Tchakoute had to leave the action at half-time due to a shoulder injury but Jamie Johnstone proved an able back-row deputy. The other replacements, Jon Feldman and Anthony Malloy, were given a run in the final quarter.
Hall kicked a sixth-minute penalty for Park before Darlington struck with a well-taken try by Ped Stalonnia, goaled by Alex Lineton.
A second kick followed for Hall before Tchakoute started an excellent Park move which culminated with a Mark McKeon try, converted by Hall.
The visitors had a seemingly good try ruled out for alleged crossing but a third Hall penalty made it 16-7 at the break.
Darlington were given hope with a Lineton penalty three minutes after the break but Hall responded before Handley breaks in the final quarter set up tries for McKeon and Chris Saidi, both converted by Hall.
Darlington made the scoreline more respectable with an injury-time try from Lee Richardson, to which Lineton added the extras.
