IT was cricketing weather at Red Rocks on Saturday and visitors Burnage, seeking to enhance their points difference total and secure at least a play-off spot in North One West were in no mood to declare their innings early.
Detecting hesitancy in the West Park backs they scorned penalty kicks at goal from the outset opting for set scrums and tap kicks at every opportunity.
From the first kick-off, the first of three which Park put directly into touch, the impetus was handed to Burnage and they rattled up a point a minute and leapfrogged Liverpool St Helens into second place in the league.
Burnage fly-half Mike Raikes, in addition to scoring two tries himself organised his three-quarter line to perfection using flat passes to bring his centres onto the ball against Park’s lightweights.
Burnage centre Adam Knight had the proverbial field day with a try and nine conversions as well as laying on tries for his fellow centres and both wingers.
The home pack stuck to their task manfully and were rewarded with a first half try to prop Joe Bailey from a pick up and drive from a lineout and captain courageous Rob Morley, who gave his all, scored a fine individual try as did veteran fly-half, Rob Hitchmough, Warren Hunt converting twice.
The Burnage backs dominated the try list but prop Assam Ben Hamed and flanker Ben Barlow managed to get on the scoresheet.
Another game Park will wish to forget, conceding their highest ever points against total.
They complete their home fixtures next Saturday with Sandbach as visitors.
