Birkenhead Park looking for success on the big stage at Twickenham

Apr 9 2008 by Peter Greville, Liverpool Daily Post

THE mass exodus from the Upper Park to Twickenham for the EDF Intermediate Cup Final begins on Friday morning when the team bus departs for London. There has been exceptional interest and the club has sold around 400 tickets.

The Park selectors have announced the starting line-up which will be the same 15 that started the semi-final at Bracknell. Skipper Dave Ibbotson has won his race to be fit but will start on the bench leaving player-coach Jon Sewell to captain.

Director of rugby John McNally said: “There were some tough decisions to make and understandably some players are extremely disappointed not to make the 22.

“Quite a few of our squad have played at Twickenham before in various capacities and experience will stand us in good stead on the day and help settle the nerves of the young lads in the side.”

Preparations have been hectic and Park chairman Greg Casey added: “The phone in the club office has barely stopped since the final whistle at Bracknell and everything is building up for a fantastic day.

“It is certainly a major milestone in our long and illustrious history.”

Among the crowd will be Park’s oldest known surviving member Emlyn Jones who will be attending with his family.

Two years ago he made his first visit to the club for more than 50 years to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Coach Neil Shaw is confident Park can lift the trophy against rivals Chester and said: “The tough draws at Staines and Bracknell will work in our favour as we are used to going down to London and turning teams over.

“The difference this time is that we are playing local rivals and we are well aware what a dangerous outfit Chester can be.

“This Park team has a collective resolve and I’m confident if we perform to our best level we can come away from Twickenham with the cup.

“Previously all the talk was about getting to Twickenham and enjoying the day, however these opportunities come round only once in a lifetime and the fact that we are playing local rivals gives the final even more of an edge.

“All I can ask is that we show the same commitment we did at Bracknell and if we do it will take a big display to beat us.”

Park have attracted considerable support from the business community and president Mark McNally added: “To our sponsors, on behalf of everybody at Birkenhead Park, can I thank everyone for your generosity and speed of response which was phenomenal. Our lead time to the final was very short but our fantastic sponsors have come up trumps.”

Park’s main Twickenham sponsor is Greenfields Kennels, Hoylake, with valuable support from Alma de Cuba, Deuchars IPA, MKR, Stanton Belting, Wynstay and Wirral Borough Council.

McNally continued: “The support of these and many other companies means that we will really look the part on the day and the Birkenhead and Wirral name together with those of the sponsors will be promoted on the Twickenham stage.”

Park coach Shaun Gallagher will be a live guest tonight on Radio Merseyside’s Alan Jackson Show as Liverpool Daily Post Correspondent Ron Roby previews the EDF Final from 8pm. All rugby fans should tune in for an in-depth analysis.

The Team

TONY HANDLEY: stand off, Lancs, N England and U21 international.

DAVE BLYTH: Second row, key forward. England U21.

NJIKE TCHAKOUTE: Flanker, Cameroon international.

GAVIN SCOTT: Centre, ex-Oldershaw captain. Cheshire U19.

PETER HART: Full back, ex-Gloucester.

STEVEN LOWRY: Scrum half, JMU captain.

GARY LUNT: Centre/ winger, ever-present and Lancs U20s.

MARK McKEON: Centre, scored the crucial try in semis.

PHIL REYNOLDS: Prop, made 339 appearances. Ex-skipper.

JON SEWELL: Back row, player-coach. Cheshire captain.

JON SHUDALL: Flanker, veteran performer.

ANDY TROTTER: Winger, ex-Waterloo.

MATT IBBOTSON: Prop, younger brother of Dave.

CHRISTIAN JONES: Hooker, scored 31 tries this season.

PAUL HELLIER: Second row. He is a Cheshire U18 player.

REPLACEMENTS (from): Dave Ibbotson (back row, played for Park since he was 11, captain since 2005) Gareth Jones (prop), Colin Campbell (prop/back row), Stuart Crampton (utility back), Dave Hall (utility back), Jon Feldman (hooker/back row) Greg Hughes (winger), Chris Saidi (second row/back row), Matt Thompson (scrum half), Jon Brennand (utility back), Stuart Brown (hooker).