Park have final tilt at cup holders

Mar 22 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD PARK hope they will not suffer a hangover at Hare Lane, Chester today as they try to lift the Lees Cheshire Cup for the first time in the modern era.

Park pulled out all the stops at Bracknell last Saturday to book a place in the Twickenham final of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.

Now they try to lower the colours of higher rated opponents in Macclesfield who have won the trophy for the last two seasons and four times in the last six years.

The East Cheshire side has certainly not enjoyed the best of fortunes in National Three North and is involved in a desperate battle to clear the relegation zone. Their latest reverse came at the hands of Caldy but they put in a spirited performance which suggests Park could be up against it.

Birkenhead’s promotion challenge in North One has petered out after a good first-half to the season but they have maintained good cup form.

They have to make three changes to today’s starting line-up after the 16-12 triumph at Bracknell. Andy Trotter and Phil Reynolds are ruled out through injury and Paul Hellier is not available so Greg Hughes fills the wing vacancy.

Regular squad member Gareth Jones comes in a loose head prop and Chris Saidi is chosen alongside David Blythe in the second-row. Jay Davies, Dan Palmer and Matt Thompson join a seven man bench party.

It kicks off at 3pm and Chester, who meet Park in the last phase of the Inter-mediate Competition, will take a keen interest.

Nearly all local clubs have no Easter commitments but Hoylake are amongst the exceptions as they travel to Sandbach for a Cheshire Vase Semi-final. The odds seem stacked against them against a side which has shown much improved form in North Two West which is a league above the Melrose Avenue outfit.

But Hoylake, recently voted the most hospitable club by the Liverpool Referees Society, have done well in South Lancashire/Cheshire One.

FIXTURES: Lees Cheshire Cup final: Birkenhead Park v Macclesfield (Chester 3pm). Lees Cheshire Vase semi-final: Sandbach v Hoylake 3pm.