Rugby Union: Park start fight to avoid repeat

Sep 8 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

WEST PARK, who only missed relegation by a whisker last season, will certainly have to emphasise their dynamic fighting spirit if they are to do a bit better this time round.

After a rather frightening start, they had to show tremendous resilience to hold Preston Grasshoppers to 22-0 last Saturday and they will probably have to struggle to upset Macclesfield, where they travel to today.

Fly-half Neil Ryan should be fit to return, allowing Rob Hitchmough to revert to his best position, and coach Martin Jones says he is keeping his fingers crossed that another key casualty, Martin Turner, will be able to join him, although that remains a major doubt.

At least former scrum-half Darren Wilson is now back from Preston and able to play this time round, while prop Liam McLoughlin is also returning.

“We just have to be positive,” Jones said. “Six of our team were making their first-team debuts last Saturday, and three others had hardly played, so we can’t expect too much too soon.”

Further down the leagues, champions Liverpool St Helens will hope to improve on their form in the recent cup final when they entertain Westoe. Their tie against Leigh was the first game many of the side had played this season and they were able to spend last weekend practising.

“About nine of my preferred side are still missing,” coach Paul Woodward said. “And that’s not too encouraging when you realise Westoe finished third in a higher league than us last season.

“At least Jan Laurens has started training, but Richard Bailey is still out and Geoff Foulkes has reported sick too.”

Although Waterloo have no match today, they will be using the chance to practise with considerable intensity in readiness for next week’s visit of long standing rivals Manchester.

“It was disappointing to lose at Otley last week, but that did demonstrate one or two parts of our game that we need to work on,” coach Cliff O’Callaghan said.