BIRKENHEAD Park claimed their third successive National 3 North success and moved up to third place in the table as they overcame a spirited Middlesbrough outfit 35-27 at the Upper Park.
The game could not be described as a classic but it was certainly an incident packed encounter.
Park started strongly with hooker Chris Tyms touching down after only three minutes. Jack Lavin added the conversion and a penalty but unfortunately then had to be replaced through injury.
The visitors responded to rattle up 19 points without reply. Park steadied themselves and finished the first half strongly with a fine try by skipper Payne after good work by Gary Lunt. Hall's penalty closed the gap further to 18-19 at the break.
Park continued to press strongly after the restart but Boro extended their lead as number 8 Carl Kirwin completed his hat trick.
But Park finally made their numerical superiority count with tries by props Martin O'Keefe and Colin Campbell to claim victory and a bonus point.
