BIRKENHEAD PARK produced their best form of the season to secure an important National 3 North victory over an in form Bradford & Bingley at the Upper Park on Saturday.

Park scored five tries to one to secure their first bonus point victory of the campaign, 33-16.

Player-coach Shaun Woof said: “We have worked hard to improve areas of weakness and I think that showed in our performance today.

“We had plenty of team spirit and there were some outstanding individual performances as well.”

The Bees started confidently as Park defended solidly to keep the visitors out. A penalty by scrum half Richard Scull eventually broke the deadlock after 25 minutes as the Bees opened the scoring.

Park hit back and a powerful forward surge led by Dave Ibbotson culminated in a try for hooker Stu Brown which was converted by Dave Hall and a second penalty made it 7-6 at half time.

A searing break by Greg Hughes signalled Park’s intentions at the start of the second half and then great work by Colin Campbell led to a score by Jack Ashcroft, Dave Hall’s touchline conversion put Park in control.

The Bees were forced to settle for a scrappy drop goal by Tom Bills. Great work by skipper Dave Hall put winger Robbie Houliston clear for the next Park try and the captain again slotted the conversion from wide out to give Park a 21-9 cushion with 15 minutes remaining. The Bees then put themselves In contention with a try by skipper Guy Ford converted by Scull.

However, it was Park who finished the game in style with two spectacular tries to secure a vital victory.

Following Ford’s try Bradford failed to gather the kick off and Houliston twice kicked through before gathering the ball and plunging over for an opportunistic score which sealed the game for a jubilant Park side.

A few minutes later flanker Adam Cupples secured possession in his own 22 and raced the length of the pitch before off loading to Greg Hughes who rounded off proceedings with Park’s fifth try.

Park travel to Penrith this Saturday.