EDF ENERGY INTERMEDIATE CUP - 10th November 2007

(2nd Round)

NORTHWICH 6

BIRKENHEAD PARK 40

Birkenhead Park moved into the 3rd round of the EDF Cup with a comfortable victory at Northwich.

Northwich opened the scoring with a Steve Campbell penalty after only three minutes but Park responded with a try by hooker Chris Jones from open play with Dave Hall converting. Scott Hayes kicked a second penalty for Northwich after 10 minutes but thereafter Park took complete control.

The Park backs excelled with Stuart Crampton doing well on his recall at stand off. A Crampton break set up a good position from which full back Jon Brennand crossed with Hall again converting. Hall then scored and converted the next try after Park created an overlap on the right. Hooker Chris Jones was full of running in the loose as Park enjoyed the majority of possession. A break by Brennand , who was in great form, then put winger Andy Trotter away for a fourth try just before the break, Hall’s conversion gave Park a commanding 28-6 half time lead.

Former Park colt Colin Campbell was given his debut as he took over from Jon Sewell in the second half. Park were then disrupted by injuries to Chris Saidi and Ashley Olliver who both left the field at the same time. Park had to reshuffle with Gareth Jones joining the second row and Stuart Brown the front row. Dave Blyth and Chris Jones dropped back to form a new look back row with Campbell. Northwich battled bravely to limit Park’s opportunities until Brennand completed an excellent hat trick with two well taken tries in the final quarter.

This Saturday Park face a much sterner test as they travel to Middlesborough for a North 1 clash looking for their tenth successive victory in league and Cup.