WEST HARTLEPOOL RFC 18 v DMPRFC 29

It wasn't a spectacle, but with there being no quarter asked or given by either side, credit must go to both teams who tried to perform gamely in front of a vociferous crowd in humid conditions.

However, it was Park who emerged the victors, securing the win and a welcome bonus point, outscoring their opponents by four tries to two, on a day when water breaks were frequent.

To their credit, West Hartlepool battled hard and caused problems early on, with combative forwards bullocking up front and a back line containing some familiar faces.

But, it was the Park defence that laid the foundation for the spoils this week, as the missed tackles of the previous weeks encounter were banished to the sidelines in a sound reversal of fortune.

Park defended stoically, when at one stage in the first half, they were reduced to thirteen men, when first Ryan Painter, then Dan Squire were sin binned. The former for a late tackle and the latter for not retreating ten metres when West took a quick tap penalty.

However, West failed to capitalise on that dilemma for Park and the first half ended with Park slightly ahead, courtesy of a try from Matt Goforth following an early penalty by Ritchie Young. West managed a penalty by Moss, to see the score line at 3 – 8.

With the sun scorching all below it, Park made the better start, with Andy Pugh opening the scoring after oranges, with a try converted by Ritchie Young. West’s kicker Moss decided to have an off day and gifted Park the slender advantage with a series of missed penalties, which on any other day he would probably have slotted home.

The lead was stretched, when the industrious Ryan Painter took a quick tap penalty and sent Ritchie Young over for a try, which he converted himself.

Park showed a brief lapse in concentration at this stage, allowing two quick tries by West from Rudd and Kerr, together with another penalty by Moss, which narrowed the margin. But Park were not going to be denied, as the West forwards tired in the latter stages and their scrum disintegrated.

Further penalties by Ritchie Young and a try by Alan Jones, converted by Young sealed the win and crowned a good away day against close rivals.