Rugby Union: Park despondent after throwing away lead

Oct 24 2007 by Ron Roby, Liverpool Daily Post

A LOSING bonus point for West Park last Saturday against National 3 North leaders Tynedale was small consolation for West Park.

It moved them level in mid-table with rivals Caldy with assistant coach Phil Boulton saying: “We had such a decent first half, leading by 14 points at the interval, that we thought it was there for the taking.”

Unfortunately it didn’t work out that way against a well organised side that continues to maintain a winning run since the start of the league campaign.

Tynedale, with no less than 14 of the Newcastle Falcons academy registered with them, must by now be clear favourites for promotion at the end of the season.

“Despite the loss there were a lot of positives,” Boulton added.

“We can go up to Fylde this Saturday, confident and boosted by the return of our skipper Stephen Briers, who came through his outing with the seconds last Saturday successfully.”

There is also good news for Rob Hitchmough, who had to leave the fray last Saturday. He is recovering well from an ankle knock and winger Mark Turner is also expected to be fit.

Fylde are having a poor season and last week sacked their first team coaches Stuart Connell and Martin Scott.

They have been replaced by new director of rugby Matt Emmerson, who was at Harrogate last season.

But the Lancastrians will no doubt be eager to get back to winning ways, having only two league wins to their credit and certainly have a score to settle against the Merseysiders, mindful of losing to them at the Woodlands last time round.