Birkenhead win Lees Cheshire Cup on historic day

Mar 24 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

NEVER say die Birkenhead produced a remarkable turn around against higher rated Macclesfield at Chester to lift the Lees Cheshire Cup for the first time since 1881.

It was never a classic at Hare Lane but it was tense and exciting as Park clawed their way back from a 5-20 deficit in the last half hour.

They levelled the scores in the seventh minute of added time. Tony Handley coolly added the conversion, the referee immediately signalled no-side and the Park celebrations began.

Macclesfield who were aiming to put their name on the trophy for a third successive time were left shell shocked after seemingly being in control.

Park, just eight days after a bruising Intermediate Cup semi-final win at Bracknell, could so easily have thrown in the towel but they produced extra reserves of energy in a pulsating finale to warm the spectators on a raw and sometimes snowy afternoon.

Handley proved an excellent general at stand-off but there was also a busy performance at scrum-half by Steve Lowry whilst the pack stood up well against a bigger Macclesfield eight with David Blythe and Chris Jones well to the fore.

Park made a bright start with a Handley break paving the way for a third minute touch down by Peter Hart.

Skipper Ross Winney struck a penalty for Macclesfield after 15 minutes and then added the goal to a well taken try by Reuben Harvey with the Park defence for once at fault.

No. 8 Ollie Hewitt breached the Birkenhead rearguard in first-half injury tie and when Harvey went in again near the corner after a lively passing move five minutes after the resumption it looked all over.

The National Three North side rang the changes thinking they had it won but Park suddenly found a fresh appetite and desire to succeed.

Greg Hughes was denied a try through a forward pass but the referee brought play back for a penalty which Handley landed on 51 minutes to make it 8-20.

Park were now on fire and when Handley forced his way over on 55 minutes and added the extras it really was game on.

Macclesfield withstood further pressure before forcing their way back upfield. But then Birkenhead produced a last desperate surge and Handley, Jones and Lowry amongst others were involved in the build up which saw sub Dan Palmer power over the Macclesfield line.

It was then down to Handley to hold his nerve with the angled goal kick. The roar from the stand signalled it was bold and true and the long wait for Park who had been beaten in 10 finals since 1969 was over.

“It was a remarkable come back and the players and officials are overjoyed”, said Park spokesman Peter Greville.