Park turn up the power

Nov 19 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD were comfortable winners against a spirited Northwich in this EDF Energy National Trophy second round tie.

A powerful first-half display put them in the driving seat and they managed the only scores of the second period after being disrupted by changes.

Park gave Colin Campbell his debut in the back-row after the break to give Jon Sewell a rest, but then suffered a double blow with both Ashley Oliver and Chris Saidi forced off through injury.

Stu Brown went on as hooker, Gareth Jones took second-row duty and Chris Jones switched to the back-row.

Steve Campbell landed an early penalty for Northwich but Park quickly replied with a Jones try after good open play and conversion by Dave Hall.

Scott Hayes struck a second kick for the home side but a break by Stuart Crampton sent John Brennand away for another Birkenhead try, converted by Hall.

Hall went in himself at the start of the second quarter and then a Brennand break created the opening for Andy Trotter to cross. Both goals made it 28-6 at the interval.

Northwich put in a brave third quarter without reward before Brennand capped an excellent display at full-back for Park with two final-quarter tries, one converted by Hall.

The visitors moved the ball well to keep the pressure on the home defence and there was solid line-out work from David Blythe and Greg Walsh in a satisfying all-round performance which extended the unbeaten run to nine games.