Rugby Union: West shine in the east

Oct 8 2007 by Ron Roby, Liverpool Daily Post

WEST PARK moved into the top half of the National Three North table with a comfortable win in Yorkshire.

It was the first time the Merseysiders had visited the newcomers to the league and from the very first kick they never seemed likely to concede too much.

Fly half Rob Hitchmough again set them on their way with an early drop goal before the Yorkshire side responded with a couple of penalties. Andy Soutar levelled the score with one himself before the break.

The second period belonged to the visitors, with the pack gaining more control with no one more prominent than number eight Craig Smithson. A break from scrum half Darren Wilson paved the way for Smithson to score after great support work. Soutar missed the conversion but added one later after centre Dave Cunliffe had scampered over following an interception.

Beverley did get into the act with a try and a penalty but a Soutar kick near the end increased the margin again. Soutar and Cunliffe spent time in the sin bin but the home side had failed to take advantage.