Rugby Union: Sheffield Tigers 16, Birkenhead Park 10

Jan 28 2008 by Andrew Stratton, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD Park failed to make enough use of the wind in the first half as they fell to defeat in North One.

It was a close affair with two second-half penalties tipping the balance for Tigers, who rarely lose at home.

Park won plenty of possession and their pack was on top at the end, but the Tigers’ defence proved just as good as their own.

Tim Outram (Sheffield) and Park’s Dave Hall exchanged early penalties before the only home try at the end of the opening quarter when scrum-half Alan Drage broke clear after a ruck to touch down by the posts, leaving Outram an easy goal. The visitors were awarded a penalty try in the 29th minute when the Tigers collapsed a scrum as they drove towards the line. Hall’s conversion made it 10-10.

Good work by Andy Trotter prevented a second home try ahead of the break.

Outram landed penalties in the 60th and 70th minutes as Park’s fine form was halted. They now face an uphill task to reach a top two placing.