FEW can deny the talents of West Park playmaker Rob Hitchmough, though many expected him to go a long way in the game once he had made the breakthrough in Premiership rugby with Harlequins.

It didn’t happen quite as he had hoped but there is no denying at grass roots level his talent can still be invaluable and he can turn a game without notice.

Last Saturday against league leaders Morley, Hitchmough was in his element, cutting back the home side with a drop goal after 21 minutes before almost snatching the lead against the run of play had he been able to round the full back after a cunning interception.

Remaining in the limelight, he then gifted Sean Dadswell with an interception try before dashing under the posts in the second period for one himself.

This Saturday no doubt Hitchmough will be hoping to spring a few surprises against some of his old mates in the Birkenhead Park ranks.

Red Rocks is the venue for what should be a tough National Three North derby between two long-standing rivals.

The visitors, lying sixth in the table on the back of a win over Beverley last weekend, must start as clear favourites.

However, few can deny West Park team boss Ian Worsley suggesting to his men before kick-off that a surprise win would be the ideal Christmas gift for their loyal supporters.

But it was a much improved performance that saw Birkenhead Park gain revenge over Beverley at the Upper Park as they preserved their unbeaten home league record with a 19-10 victory.

Park opened the scoring with a Dave Hall penalty after 10 minutes and scrum-half Mike Chapman grabbed the opening try on his debut appearance. Good work by full-back John Fenton then paved the way for the second try by hooker Chris Tyms.

Beverley scored immediately after the break but two further penalties by Hall more than restored the advantage for Park.

Props Martin O’Keefe and Matt Ibbotson both worked hard to good effect as Park secured their eighth league victory.

Director of rugby John McNally said: “We played with much more urgency this week and looked like we meant business right from the start.

“The returning players all did well and Mike Chapman acquitted himself well on his debut at scrum-half.”

McNally expects another tough match this Saturday and said: “As always we will be up against a very competitive side at West Park and we need to improve again.

“If we show the same level of commitment I am confident we can get a result but we never find it easy at Red Rocks and nothing less than 100% will do.”