Rugby Union: Park’s top recovery

Oct 8 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD bounced back from a 13-0 deficit to chalk up their third victory in North One.

The forwards laid the foundations of success with Christian Jones helping himself to a hat-trick of tries.

Paul Hellier did well in the line-outs for the winners and Njike Tchakouta was excellent in the back row and was unlucky to have a try not awarded because the referee was unsighted.

The combined side got off to a good start with two penalties by Chris Stuart and they increased their advantage with a try by Dave Kilbride after a penalty attempt rebounded off a post.

Park showed more urgency and Jones was awarded a try before the break in a drive over from a line-out.

Tony Handley cut the gap with a penalty and Park went ahead for the first time on 68 minutes with the second Jones try from a ruck 10 metres out, with Handley converting.

More forward pressure from another line-out culminated in Jones going over again on 78 minutes. Handley added the goal and struck with a penalty in the dying moments as the home side further faded away.