A fiercely fought game ended in a comprehensive victory for 'Park which takes them closer to the league title. With only 2 remaining games left in the league calendar, 'Park are 2 points ahead of their closest rivals and have a far superior points difference.

'Park started the game playing into a strong wind and at no time did they allow Wirral to dictate the pace of the game as wave after wave of 'Park attacks bombarded a strong and resolute Wirral defence.

'Park were forced into making an early substitution when hooker, Andy Wilson, clattered into the Wirral stand off and sustained a cut which required hospital treatment. The Wirral stand off did not fare much better as he also left the field, obviously very dazed.

It took 'Park 38mins to finally break down the Wirral defence. The try was scored by Ronan O'Brien after Matt Sheen, in his more accustomed position of No. 8, picked up the ball at the base of the scrum fed scrum half Richard Gould who quickly passed to O'Brien to score in the corner. The very next play of the game saw Wirral convert a penalty to make the score 5 - 3 at the end of the first half.

With the elements changing, steady rain was falling and the wind had died down, Park started the second half in determined mood. The 'Park front row began to take control of the scrums and caused Wirral a number of problems, this helped the pack gain momentum and the team scored 27 unanswered points in the half.

First, the ever reliable, globe trotting Tom Mapp, kicked a penalty which was soon followed by 'Park's second try which was a carbon copy of their first try. This time Richard Gould did not need to pass the ball on as Matt Sheen had fixed the defence with his well timed arcing run which allowed Gould to score untouched.

With the game becoming quicker and looser this played into 'Man of the match', Matt Sheen's hands. His marauding in mid field caused havoc amongst the Wirral defenders and the next 2 tries from Park were a direct result of Matt Sheen being at the right place at the right time. A scrum in Parks half saw the ball fed out to Simon Verbickas, he deftly kicked it diagonally for Ronan O'Brien to collect. O'Brien fed Steve Kylie who streaked for the line only to be stopped inches short but the try was still on as Sheen, who had covered 70m from the base of the original scrum, collected the loose ball and dived over to score.

With 3 minutes of official time remaining Sheen was once again instrumental in another Park score, his thunderous tackle in mid field freed the ball which was quickly fed to Kylie, who once again looked impressive, and he scored in the corner. The final try of the game came from a surge from Kylie down the right wing, the ball found its way to Verbickas who scored out wide.

The final score of 30pts to 3 was thoroughly deserved. Praise must go to the referee, Dave Swainson, from the Durham Society, who throughout the game talked to the players and explained his decisions at all times. His refereeing helped make the game enjoyable for players and spectators alike, maybe other referees would follow his example and referee the game for the players and not to show how well they know the Laws of the Game.

Credit must also go the Broughton Park skipper, Andy O'Grady. His influence on the field in the last two games has been immense. Not only has he ensured that the Park front row act and perform as a unit but also his ability to mould the team into a motivated and better disciplined unit of players. All credit to the skipper and lets hope that he and his players seal promotion in the coming weeks, starting in 2 weeks time when Warrington will be the visitors to Hough End.

Dave Walsh 1st team manager.