Broughton Park 46 pts v 8 pts Northwich

If Christmas came early last weekend for Broughton Park then surely this week Santa had left the right presents as, after this comprehensive dismantling of Northwich, the 2 points gained have put Broughton Park on top of the league.

The game, as a spectacle, was not hugely enjoyable, as the referee, by his own admission, did not have his best game. It was not until the 65th minute of the game that he finally produced a yellow card, this could have been done 60 mins earlier and some of the less savoury aspect of the game could have been avoided. The players themselves have to take some of the blame as it was they that inflicted the cheap shots on each other and taunted their opposite number (I refer particular to the Northwich full back who had no need to exacerbate a situation in the second half with his childish taunting of the Broughton Park forwards).

The games first points were scored by Simon Verbickas who converted the first of many penalties awarded to Broughton Park. After 14 mins John Clifford increased the lead coming from the base of a scrum and powering his way over the line. Verbickas converted and then continued his recent good form with a try under the posts. Tom Foden created the scoring opportunity for Verbickas with a shimmy and a perfectly timed pass. Verbickas converted his own try to make the score 17-0. The next try was scored by Dave Sutcliffe who scored in the corner after terrific work by Tom Mapp who cut back across the Northwich forwards and created a 2 on 1 situation wide out which Sutcliffe gratefully accepted and scored to make the score 22 - 0.

There were no further scores in the first half due, in the main, to Park having to replace John Clifford, who aggravated a knee injury, and coping with a number of further injuries to players which compromised Parks effectiveness.

At the start of the second half Broughton Park increased their lead when Tom Foden fielded a ball in the Northwich half, ducked under two tackles, swerved round 2 bemused Northwich defenders and supplied Tom Mapp with the simplest of passes, to stroll in under the posts. Mapp converted his own try, having taken over the kicking duties from Verbickas who had injured his back. Mapp then slotted a penalty after Northwich has staged a mini revival and scored a drop goal and a try to make the score 32 - 8.

Broughton Park had to make a series of substitutions and position changes as first Alan Bardenhorst and then Dave Rodgers were replaced. Both received rib and shoulder injuries and this affected the Broughton Park structure. Man of the match, Tom Mapp was drafted into the pack at number 7 and hooker Andy Wilson went to number 6, where he tackled like a Trojan.

The final scores of the game came in the last 5 minutes when first, Andy Wilson seized upon a loose ball over the Northwich line and then from a wayward penalty Julian Callanan dispossessed the Northwich defender to gratefully score his debut try for Broughton Park. At the final whistle Park had secured the points and moved to the top of the league table winning the game 46 points to 8.

With half the season over Park stand on top of the league and with the long term injured ready to return in the New Year (Sheen, Parry and Coackley) competition for places at Park will become intense over the next few months.

So, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I would like to reminded you that the future looks bright, the future is Broughton Park.

David Walsh, 1st XV Manager Broughton Park