Rugby Union: Improvements needed after less than mint display

Sep 12 2007 by Peter Greville, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD PARK’S North One season commenced last week with a 16-0 defeat at Kendal’s Mint Bridge ground. It was not the start Park had been hoping for and they will need to improve in certain areas if they are to compete for the top spots in the league.

Kendal have a formidable home record and having strengthened their squad they were just that bit too good for Park in a hard-fought encounter.

Birkenhead enjoyed plenty of pressure and possession but lacked the cutting edge. Kendal were limited to one try in each half but Park rarely looked like breaking their duck.

Park have an opportunity to make amends this Saturday when Huddersfield are the visitors to the Upper Park, 3pm kick-off.

Park were hit by the withdrawal of stand off Tony Handley and new flanker Njike Tchakoute at Kendal but both hope to have recovered from injury in time for the Huddersfield clash.

Dave Hall took the place of Handley at stand-off and did well despite often receiving under pressure.

The Park Wanderers found life hard against Sedgeley Park in the Bateman BMW Premiership, going down 55-12, but the forwards in particular gave a very good account of themselves scoring two tries through Jamie Johnston and skipper Stuart Brown.

There were mixed fortunes for the Park Academy teams with the Senior Colts winning 20-12 at West Park. Jamie Rozario, Ged O’Connor and Tom Sullivan scored tries with Alan Hughes converting one to add to his penalty.

The Junior Colts received Penrith and the teams laid on an excellent contest with Park fighting back to 10-10 with a try by centre Alan Hughes and conversion and drop goal from Danny Rich. But Penrith snatched victory with a late penalty.

This Sunday Park are launching a new under-16 team as part of their ongoing youth development programme. They take on Shotton at the Upper Park and any new players are welcome to attend and join the squad at 10am on Sunday.