Jones on a hot run

Dec 3 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

HOOKER Chris Jones continued his amazing try-scoring sequence as Birkenhead recorded their eighth North One victory.

It was not easy in difficult conditions at Upper Park but the home side were never really in danger as they turned to enjoy the advantage of the strong wind after a purple patch just before half-time.

Tony Handley landed an early penalty for Birkenhead but Darlington replied with two kicks by Evan Haigh.

Jones gained his first try from a driving maul, with Dave Hall converting, and then raced clear from broken play to make it 15-6 at the break. Haigh managed a third Darlington kick but Hall replied on 55 minutes.

Then Jones darted away on the blind side following another maul to complete his hat-trick. It was a good all-round team effort by the home side. Jones was well to the fore, with his try tally now well into double figures, but Steve Lowry also gave a great display at scrum-half.

It was a satisfying win, especially as some key players were missing. The stand-ins did their jobs very well indeed.