NEWS - BIRKENHEAD PARK REPORT - 25/03/2008

Just one week after reaching Twickenham there was more joy for Birkenhead Park as they stunned Macclesfield with a remarkable comeback to lift the JW Lees Cheshire Cup at Chester .

Despite an encouraging start when Peter Hart scored a third minute try after good work by Tony Handley and Greg Hughes, Park looked dead and buried when Macclesfield went 20-5 up early in the second half. However this Park side, with half backs Steve Lowry and Tony Handley leading the way, simply refused to throw in the towel and they clawed their way back with a penalty and converted try all by the influential Handley. There was still over twenty minutes remaining but Macclesfield held on until a dramatic finale which saw replacement flanker Dan Palmer race clear to equalise the scores. Handley’s conversion won the game with the last kick of the match as Park celebrated their first County Cup since the competition was re-launched in 1969.

These are heady days for Park and coach Neil Shaw said “we had barely come back down to earth following last week’s semi final at Bracknell and all the talk has been of the Twickenham final on 12 th April. We told the players to forget about that and concentrate on winning the Cheshire Cup. Although we were looking well beaten not long after half time the desire to win and determination became increasingly clear as the second half progressed. We sensed we could cause an upset and went for it but to win it with the last move of the game was sensational.” He continued “we have always taken the Cheshire Cup seriously and have lost the final on numerous occasions in the past – it means a lot to the whole club to have won the trophy and particularly all those who remember the disappointment of those losing finals over the years.”

This Saturday Park are at home to Kendal ( 3pm ) as the Cumbrians look to secure the North 1 title. Director of Rugby John McNally said “this week’s challenge is to stop Kendal celebrating their title on our patch. It will take a mighty effort as they are still unbeaten in the league but I hope our lads are ready to accept the challenge as Twickenham places are still up for grabs. After our wild celebrations of the last two weeks the last thing we want is to witness another team stealing our thunder in front of our noses”.

Limited tickets for the Twickenham date are still available from the Club office at a discounted rate of £20 as Park and Chester share the same stage as Exeter v Northampton and Leicester v Ospreys. The tickets are valid for all three matches. Chairman Greg Casey said “the interest is phenomenal and we are extremely grateful to the sponsors who are contributing to making it a really special day for Birkenhead Park . We have four coaches booked already and there are groups also heading down by train and car so it’s all building up to be a great day out for us at Headquarters”.

Season Fixtures For All Senior Teams:

First Team Fixtures 2007-2008

2nd Team Fixtures 2007-2008

3rd Team Fixtures 2007-2008

4th Team Fixtures 2007-2008

Previous Weeks News - Click Here