Prop Clarke suffers double leg fracture in defeat

Feb 6 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD PARK’S promotion play-off aspirations all but disappeared at the Upper Park on Saturday as Liverpool St Helens came back from a 17-3 deficit to take the North 1 derby spoils.

The match was marred by a serious injury to Park’s talismanic prop Steve Clarke who sustained a double leg fracture on the half hour.

The injury was purely accidental as Clarke appeared to fall awkwardly in an attempted tackle and the match was delayed for 30 minutes as he received attention on the pitch prior to his departure to hospital.

Park have a good chance to return to winning ways this Saturday at home to another struggling side Altrincham Kersal, however the visitors, like LSH, are fighting for their North 1 lives and are sure to put up stern resistance.

Birkenhead still have everything to play for with the EDF Intermediate Cup Quarter Final at Staines looming on the February 23.

The loss of Clarke is a massive blow as Park’s other experienced tight head prop Matt Ibbotson is currently also out of action.

John Moores University enjoyed a victory over Leeds Met last week and this week look to continue their good form against Newcastle, kick off this afternoon at the Upper Park is 2pm.