NORTH DIVISION 1 - 27th October 2007

LIVERPOOL ST HELENS 6

BIRKENHEAD PARK 17

Birkenhead Park enjoyed territorial dominance for almost the entire match in the North 1 derby at Moss Lane against Liverpool St Helens but the home defence proved extremely hard to break down.

Park had a good start scoring a try after ten minutes through Chris Jones after a trademark forward drive, Tony Handley converted. Poor handling and a tendency to kick away possession meant that Park failed to add to the score before half time but Simon Worsley kicked two penalties for LSH as they fought back to 7-6 at the break.

Birkenhead camped in the LSH half for virtually the whole of the second period but they continued to be frustrated by the excellent home defence and their own unforced errors. Jones had a try disallowed as the LSH defence at last began to buckle but he did gain his second try after a period of sustained pressure. Lively replacement scrum half Steve Lowry put full back Jon Brennannd through for a third Park try to seal victory in the closing stages.

A fifth successive North 1 victory for Park but it was a far from convincing display. Park travel to Penrith this Saturday but will need to show improvement to carry on their winning run.