BIRKENHEAD PARK suffered their first defeat of the season going down to a strong Sheffield Tigers side at Dore Moor 26-17.

The Tigers pack generally had the upper hand but Park made Tigers fight all the way and it was only a late Tom Outram penalty that finally settled matters in favour of the home side.

Park coach Shaun Gallagher was in a positive mood and said: “The Tigers proved to be a strong side but we showed commendable spirit and although their pack had the upper hand there were some excellent performances, particularly Tchakoute, Saidi and Dave Ibbotson.

“In the backs centres Gary Lunt and Mark McKeon did well with limited opportunities and Anthony Molloy showed great pace for his try.”

This Saturday Park move from one difficult Yorkshire fixture to another travelling to unbeaten Morley who have re-joined North One this season from the National League.

Park are likely to be without skipper Chris Jones who is struggling with a shoulder injury and Jon Feldman is set to take over at hooker.

If Jones is ruled out then Dave Ibbotson will resume the captaincy and younger brother Matt is set to join the bench having recovered from his pre-season injury.

There is further good news with the influential Dave Blyth also set to return to action following his injury.

The Park Wanderers found Fylde too strong in the Bateman BMW Premiership but played their part in an entertaining contest before going down 57-26 at the Upper Park.

The Wanderers will be hoping to return to winning ways this Saturday at home to Liverpool St Helens.

The Senior Colts were pleased with a 14-7 victory at Broughton Park in the Lancashire and Cheshire A League scoring two excellent tries through Joe Spencer and Nathan McHugh with two conversions from Danny Rich.

NEXT GAME: Morley v Birkenhead Park, North One, Oct 4