Rugby Union: West Park 24, Rugby Lions 17

Sep 17 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

TWO tries from West Park’s inspirational fly half Rob Hitchmough gave the

Merseysiders a winning bonus point in the National Three North battle against Rugby Lions.

The game, at times, lacked lustre, though it looked in the early stages that the home side were well capable of dominating the contest. But it was Rugby Lions, after half an hour, that put the first points on the board when winger Dominic Wareing touched down.

With the interval approaching Park at last showed some pride when back row partners Paul Bamber and number 8 Craig Smithson combined well to provide space for winger Kalan Warburton to go over the line.

Andy Soutar missed the conversion but Hitchmough snatched

the interval lead by darting over for his first try.

The half time talk to the visitors seemed to raise their determination as the pack denied Park possession.

Reward came when a sustained period of forward pressure down the right gave prop Tristan Wati a touchdown to level the score.

With just over ten minutes remaining Neale Foster darted over to restore Park’s lead with Soutar adding the extras.

Hitchmough then intercepted to go between the posts. Soutar’s conversion was a formality.

The Midlanders did have the last say when flanker Prosser-Shaw narrowed the deficit with a try converted by Glen Bond.

Fortunately for the home side it was not enough.