Park are one win away from final showdown in EDF Cup

Feb 27 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

BIRKENHEAD Park put their recent disappointments behind them to book a place in the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup thanks to a 12-23 win at Staines.

Park built up a 20-7 interval lead and never looked like losing from that point. It was a spirited team performance, with Steve Lowry and Tony Handley making their presence felt at half-back. Jon Shudall, in the back-row, and Peter Hart at full-back made successful comebacks after not playing at senior level for many months.

Staines, not beaten at home this season, got off to a flyer with John Turner bursting through the middle for a try and Andy Regan converting.

But Park were quick to respond with Christian Jones crossing from a driving maul following a line-out.

Another try was disallowed because the referee was unsighted, but Park were not to be outdone with Jones Sewell picking up at the back of a scrum and Shudall proving the link for Hart to cross in the corner.

Hall could not convert either try, but was successful with a penalty on 37 minutes. Then the visitors grabbed a crucial third try through Jones after a bout of open play, with Hall adding the extras.

Park held off everything Staines threw at them and looked comfortable until a breakaway try by Richard Scott in the 70th minute cast a slight doubt on the outcome.

But Hall settled Park again with a penalty a few minutes later and the tie was sealed. Now the Upper Park side hope for a home draw in the penultimate stage, with Twickenham just one win away.

Caldy chalked up their ninth victory in National Three North League with a 5-36 win at Bradford and Bingley.

The Wirral side got off to a flying start, with tries inside the first 10 minutes for Ben Wylie and Jake Lyon, plus both conversions by Simon Mason.

Gareth Roberts beat four defenders in a spectacular run for the third and the goal, plus a penalty, made it 24-0 at halfway.

The visitors continued to control matters up front and Bradshaw made his mark with two tries from rolling mauls, Mason converting once.

The Caldy Colts made it a double success, with an 18-14 success over visiting Darlington at Paton Field, which took them into the last eight in the countrywide National Colts Cup.

Hoylake’s second team beat Prenton 27-5 last Saturday and with six of the Colts in the side, it shows some potential future seasons. This Saturday, the first team resume against Burnage.