This exciting game was finally settled in the last minute when Tom Foden, playing in an unaccustomed outside centre position, snaffled a wild pass from Anselmians, who were attempting to run the ball from their own line, and scored the final points of the game to give Park a deserved victory.

Victory was a prerequisite requirement to sustain 'Park's march towards the league title and promotion but this did not affect 'Park's approach towards the game. In fact the pressure seemed to help, as the Park players, to a man, played as a team and deserved this fine victory. Even with an over zealous referee, who seemed to penalise Park at every opportunity, the discipline of the team never wavered and they continued to put phases of play together which eventually broke down a well organised and competent Anselmians team.

With both Matt Sheen and John Clifford making thumping tackles and Latham Parry covering every blade of grass on the park, the back row of Broughton Park performed with credit and their example helped inspire the team to greater heights. The front row became more dominant as the game wore on and by the end were pushing Anselmians around at will.

The game was less than 5 mins old and Anselmians had converted a penalty for a 3 nil lead but Park stormed back and with decent possession being secured by the forwards the backs of Park showed what they could do and with Steve O'Connor, recently returned from New Zealand, playing at inside centre the skill levels were never in doubt.

After 10 mins Park took the lead, a thumping tackle from Tom Foden on the half way line allowed Steve O'Connor to secured the ball and with a dummy and swerve put Steve Kylie in the clear to score by the corner. Anselmians bounced right back and scored a try of their own which showed how dangerous their three quarters could be: their full back entered the line at pace and off loaded, when tackled, to his wing who scored in the corner. With Anselmians successfully converting a penalty the half time score was 11 - 5 in Anselmians favour.

Within 2 minutes of the restart Park took the lead. John Clifford set up a ruck close to the line and with quick ball Simon Verbickas fed Tom Foden who sliced through the Anselmians cover defence. Verbickas converted which gave Park a 1 point lead.

The game now ebbed and flowed and with both sets of spectators urging their team on it looked as though the game would be decided by a refereeing decision. In fact the referee did offer Anselmians hope when they converted a penalty to take a 2 point lead going into the final 10 minutes of the game. However the referee was not going to decide the outcome of the game because with 7 minutes remaining, Guy Barlow galloped towards the line, some might argue that Guy should have passed, but he went to ground setting up a ruck which allowed Ronan O'Brien to feed Latham Parry to score a try under the posts.

As previously reported Foden sealed the victory which keeps Park firmly at the top of the table. The 20th game of this 22 game league campaign takes place at 'Park's home ground next Saturday when Wirral are the visitors. There is no reason to suggest that Park will find the visit of Wirral a formality but if the team give of their best and produce the rugby they are capable of then an entertaining game is assured. If you want to spend 80 mins watching rugby on a Saturday afternoon then I suggest you come along and watch Park go for the league title and promotion.

Dave Walsh 1st team manager.