Rugby Union: LSH 6, Birkenhead Park 17

Oct 29 2007 by John Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD PARK triumphed in this hard-fought North One clash, wearing down Liverpool St Helens with two tries in the last six minutes.

The Wirral side had territorial advantage throughout but were constantly thwarted by a spirited and co-ordinated LSH defence.

David Blyth, clearly preferring North One to National One, dominated the lineouts and was at the heart of everything for Park as they ultimately overpowered LSH in the final stages.

The visitors went ahead in the ninth minute with a trademark try from hooker Chris Jones following a catch and drive, converted by Tony Handley. LSH hit back with a penalty from Simon Worsley before finishing the half strongly with a second penalty from Worsley to trail by one point.

The opening stages of the second half remained scoreless with LSH successfully repelling the visitors’ relentless rolling maul and looking for the counter attack.

Park, however, continued to pressure and with LSH lock Alan Chadwick in the sin bin, Jones touched down again from the fifth successive catch and drive in as many minutes. The visitors then secured the win in the 79th minute with a close-range try from full back Jon Brennand.