BIRKENHEAD Park will be hoping to start the New Year with a bang when they welcome Waterloo to the Upper Park on Saturday for an important National Three North derby, kick-off 2.15pm.

Park have made great progress in recent weeks winning four and drawing one of their last six games. They still face a battle to move out of the relegation zone and victory over their old rivals would be the perfect start to 2013.

Park were again left frustrated by the decision of Chester not to fulfil the Cheshire Cup semi-final scheduled for last Saturday.

Arrangements were in hand and the pitch was passed fit by the referee but at the last minute Chester advised they were unable to raise a team.

This was the second time Chester had withdrawn and the Park officials were furious at the loss of revenue and expenditure incurred.

President Mark McNally said: “Chester have shown no respect whatsoever either for us or for the Cheshire Cup competition – to do it twice in a matter of weeks is totally unacceptable.”

Park have been awarded a place in the final by default against neighbours Caldy.

On Friday night, Park hosted the Old Birkonians and a healthy holiday crowd witnessed an entertaining match which the Park Invitation XV won 53-29.

The old boys fielded a true Old Birkonians side under the guidance of Steve Hearn.

The old boys raced into a 17-0 lead as the veterans in the Park XV took a while to get into their stride.

Park fielded a side with a strong St Anselms College old boys element, with the three Saverimutto brothers joined by three of the four O'Keefe brothers and Simon Mason.

For Birkonians, Tom Bills scored two tries with Nick Hearn and Ian Gill one apiece and Sam Corbett was named man-of-the=match.

For Park, Martin O'Keefe scored two tries with brother Anthony also touching down along with John Lynch, Chris Wainwright and Danny Jones.

A fine individual try by full-back Peter Hart rounded off the game.