Close game ends in lose

Birkenhead Park scored a late try and conversion to deny Cleckheaton a victory which would have been sweet revenge for their earlier Cup exit.

The home side took an early lead with an Owen Edwards drop goal in the eighth minute and the lead was extended six minutes later when Edwards kicked a penalty from in front of the posts.

Park began to use their powerful forwards to make ground and two converted tries followed rolling mauls which Cleckheaton were unable to counter.Prop Gareth Jones and Park skipper Dave Ibbotson were awarded the scores with centre Dave Hall providing the extras.

Just before half time Cleckheaton scored the best try of the match when young full back Ross Hayden directed a thirty five yard crossfield kick into the hands of fellow nineteen year old Ryan Burrows who beat the covering defence for an outstanding score.Owen Edwards converted from wide out and Cleckheaton were just one point in arrears at the break.

The early second half exchanges featured a penalty miss by Park's Dave Hall,a drop goal attempt by fly half Tony Handley and a yellow card to Park's fearsome back row Tjike Tchakoute.Despite a lack of possession,Cleckheaton showed commendable spirit and regained the lead with fifteen minutes to go with an Owen Edwards penalty.Park hit back and intensified forward pressure to seek victory.As the game entered the last five minutes Cleck were penalised for a crooked feed to the scrum;Tchakoute took the quick free kick and drove for the line.

His support was on hand and the try was awarded.Dave Hall converted and Cleck were denied at least a share of the spoils which their efforts deserved.

Another good effort against probably the best pack in the league.However,the objective for the rest of the season has to be gaining more quality first phase possession.

With the undoubted talent of Ryan Burrows,the hard nosed attitude of John Dudley and the forceful running of Lance Hamilton,not yet yielding the rewards which should accompany these efforts,all the team should aim at providing a consistency of performance which will give runners such as Owen Edwards,Ross Hayden,Matt Callaghan,Tom Lauriston,Mark Billington and Simon Bradshaw the opportunities to show their talent at this level.