BIRKENHEAD PARK RFC 16 v DMPRFC 36

Scoring five tries in any game always gives a certain degree of satisfaction, but to do so on the road and at a venue which has so often in the past proved to be such a fortress, is additionally gratifying.

Initial signs were somewhat gloomier, when after less than five minutes of proceedings, in more or less the first attacking move of the game, Birkenhead Park RFC won their put in to the scrum and quick hands from the base down the blindside, saw the home winger score unopposed in the corner. Granted, the attacking flanker was blatantly holding back his opposite number, but with the official, who was on the opposite side of the set piece, not having the luxury of assistance from an officiating referee’s assistant in this National League, there is not much that can be done in that department.

Gavin PAINTER narrowed the arrears with a successful penalty after his third attempt and the first quarter remained at 5 – 3, with both sides testing the others defence in a series of exchanges.

Two tries in the space of ten minutes from the visitors edged them away from the home side. The first after enterprising play from scrum half Charlie SIMPSON-DANIEL, the latter a Robin EATOUGH success, both converted by Gavin PAINTER.

In between, Birkenhead Park responded with a penalty, but at 8 – 17, things looked ominous for the big home forwards, as the looked visibly tired and glad of the annoying frequent breaks, which favoured their style of stop/start play.

DMPRFC flanker Will McCaulay worker tirelessly in the exchanges and always seemed to be involved in most passages of play, whether it be in attack or defence.

Also worthy of note were the bullocking forays of prop Ralph APPLEBY, allowing plenty of go forward ball.

After oranges, it was the home side who started the brighter and from a woeful kick out of defence by the visitors, the stalwart centre was gifted a try.

DMPRFC‘s repost was immediate when after enterprising back play centre Ben SNOOK crossed the whitewash, Gavin PAINTER converting.

Birkenhead Park briefly stemmed the flow with a penalty, but the inevitable was always on the cards and two further tries, one from Charlie SIMPSON-DANIEL and the other from winger Ben SERU, the former added to by Gavin PAINTER sealed a deserved win for DMPRFC.

It is acknowledged that Birkenhead Park RFC have injury problems, especially in the forwards, highlighted by the appearance of veteran Sean Gallaher, but DMPRFC, like others teams have growing injury lists and although it is a problem, teams just have to get on with it.

A pleasant and interesting journey home followed, with thoughts of a local derby in the next game against neighbours Billingham RFC.