'Park old and new nearly get it together.

Broughton Park had a pre-season warm up game against former Premier League West Hartlepool. They have dropped down the leagues in recent years and are now one level above Park.

'Park have lost 3 backs on a 6 month trip to New Zealand but have more than made up by an influx of players. Former 'Park player Simon Verbickas who only lives around the corner from 'Park came back and brought a few quality players from Chester with him.

In the first of four 20 minute sessions the 'Park scrummage started where it left off last year and pushed West Hartlepool off their own ball seemingly at will. Unfortunately this tight dominance was not transfered to the loose play where 'Park lost the ball on a few occasions. The well ordered mauling and rucking of last season was not to be seen. It looked very scrappy and loose. It should get better when the new and old players get to know each other.

A good passage of play where the ball was kept alive and passed out of the tackle saw Simon Verbickas score wide out on the right. Simon converted to make the score 7 - 0 after 20 minutes.

The second 20 minute session saw many changes on both sides but all the pace in the 'Park side seemed not to be on the pitch. West Hartlepool quickly spun the ball wide inside their own half only to find hardly any 'Park defence there to stop them and they passed the ball at the right times to score wide out on the left. The conversion was missed.

West Hartlepool took the lead with a well worked converted try to make the score 7 - 12.

The last 20 minute session saw both sides at more less full strength, 'Park seemed to have the edge but the last pass was going astray or was being knocked on. A good passage of driven play saw the ball go out to the backs and eventually reach Alan Hodkinson who forced his way over midway between the post and the corner. Simon Verbickas converted to make the score 14 - 12. After pressure at both ends the referee blew his whistle for the end of the last 20 minute session on the 27th minute.

A good workout for 'Park where the new and old players had a chance to get to work together. The team seems stronger than last year and should be pushing for promotion this year.

The next game is at home next week against another former top division side Liverpool St Helens in the Lancashire Trophy.