Rugby Union: Park put best foot forward in Lymm victory

Sep 5 2007 by Peter Greville, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD PARK completed preparations for their North One campaign with an encouraging 29-0 win at Lymm last Saturday.

Park have a difficult start away to Kendal, who lost only once at home last season.

It was the forwards who impressed against Lymm with the pack claiming four tries through Steve Clarke, skipper Dave Ibbotson, player-coach John Sewell and hooker Chris Jones. Winger Greg Hughes grabbed a fifth try and Tony Handley kicked two conversions.

Hooker Jones has quickly settled back in on his return to the Upper Park and he scored a hat-trick of tries the previous week in the win at Chester.

For the Kendal game Park hope to have all their new signings available for selection with the vastly experienced Dave Blyth expected to be influential in the forwards.

Back row man Njike Tchakote and backs Gareth Davies, Gary Lunt and Patrick McDonagh are also pushing hard for inclusion in the starting line-up.

The Park Wanderers were promoted to the Bateman BMW Premiership and they face a tough programme, losing 12-0 at Chester last week in the opening fixture.

This Saturday they are at home to Sedgeley Park, whose senior team play three levels above Park in National One so another tough match is in prospect for the Wanderers.

It was a successful start for the Academy with the Senior Colts defeating Hoylake 22-12 at the Upper Park. Jamie Rosario (2), Midge O’Conor and Aaron Gould scored the tries, with Danny Fazakerley kicking one conversion.