Birkenhead keep up chase on top two in North One League

Jan 9 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

NEW Brighton lost their way against Northwich in North Two West League, as their promotion bid was hit with a 21-10 defeat last Saturday.

Northwich had the advantage of the wind in the first period and built up a 13-3 advantage. Poor tackling let in Campbell for a solo try and they also added the goal and a couple of penalties.

The Blues could only muster a Stephen Dean kick and fell further behind to another penalty soon after the interval.

An excellent try by Joe Bowmer converted by Dean made it 16-10 and there was every chance of tipping the balance.

But Northwich emphasised their defensive qualities as they rebutted a series of attacks and showed the Blues just how to take chances with a decisive and almost comical breakaway score in the final quarter.

New Brighton need to improve if they are move back to North One.

Caldy could not quite match their Northumberland opponents, who completed a double to stay top of National Three North League, during their 29-6 defeat at Tynedale

It looked ominous for Caldy when they turned to face the wind trailing 6-14, but they stuck to their task well.

Caldy gifted Tynedale a try and conversion in the opening minutes.

They closed the gap with two penalties by Simon Mason but Tynedale struck again before the break with their second touch down after two forward looking passes went unpunished.

A home penalty from Phil Belgian made it 17-6 soon after the re-start but then Caldy dug deep without really threatening a come-back.

Tynedale drove over from a line-out with 10 minutes left and in the very last phase of the game got their fourth try from a tap penalty move with the conversion extending the advantage. Caldy next face Morley this Saturday.

Birkenhead kept up the pursuit of Kendal and Huddersfield in North One League with their commanding 47-3 win against Penrith at the Upper Park.

They took some time to shake off the excesses of the Christmas festivities before going clear in the second half.

An early Dave Hall penalty failed to settle the home side and Conrad Janson, after one miss from an easy position, levelled things on 25 minutes.

Steve Clarke livened the proceedings as he stormed clear following sustained pressure for the first try converted from wide out by Hall.

Then Christian Jones went in to make it 15-3 at the half-way stage. Lowry got the next touch down after a flowing move. Tony Handley cut through in style for two touch downs.

Jones went in from a driving maul and full-back Crampton joined the line for the final score. Hall got two more conversions and a penalty. Now Park turn to Intermediate Cup action at home to Luctonians on Saturday.

There was extra joy for Hoylake as they completed a South Lancashire/Cheshire One double over their rivals Wirral and moved into the semi-finals of the Cheshire Vase courtesy of a 16-19 victory.

Rob Kurton crossed for the winners. Young took the conversion and four penalties. Harvey added the goal to a Bennett touch down for Wirral.