BIRKENHEAD PARK had set off for their match at Beverley after the hosts had declared the game would be on – but a hasty rethink saw the match then called off.

Park president Mark McNally said: “We were surprised initially that Beverley told us the pitch would be fit in view of the severe frost but we had only reached Liverpool before messages started coming through that the game had been postponed after all.

“It was not very satisfactory as we will now incur additional travel costs having actually commenced the journey.”

The match has been re-scheduled for this coming Saturday and McNally said: “With the cold spell set to continue, I hope the Beverley officials get their act together this week.”

Park will be in for a difficult time, with the East Riding outfit fighting for their survival at the foot of the table.

Director of rugby John McNally said: “They gave us a good contest in the home match back in October and a lot of their results have been close so we will expect nothing but yet another tough one.

“We have shown some excellent away form in our last two matches so I am confident we can make the long journey worthwhile.”

Park stalwart Dave Ibbotson is poised to make his 200th appearance at Beverley and he will be hoping the weather relents after last week’s disappointment.

Meanwhile there is fantastic news for the Park Panthers with centre Ashleigh Neale and winger Danae Zamboulis being selected for the North of England against London & the South East at Doncaster this Sunday.

Neale is also the leading try scorer in the RFUW North 2 league and Jo Ha Unga has played for the Irish Exiles.

The Park Wanderers are locked in a promotion tussle with Wilmslow in the University of Salford 1st Division. Despite beating Waterloo 33-25, Park have slipped to second place but they have a game in hand over their East Cheshire rivals. Neither side is scheduled to be in action this week.