THIS league fixture was played on Friday evening under the new floodlights at Sefton, and proved to be an excellent contest between two equally committed teams.

Sefton started brightly, their forwards creating early problems for the visitors in both set and loose plays.

Sturdy defence from both teams, however, allowed only a penalty apiece to trouble the scoreboard in the first quarter.

A yellow card for the visitors scrum half Dickenson for what was adjudged a deliberate knock on, added further to their pressure, but nonetheless Park continued to stand firm.

An intelligent kick from Park’s stand off Lee Rosney was well fielded by winger Chris Fortune who found centre John James in support to finish off a 30 metre run in style, converted by winger Warren Hunt.

Sefton’s forwards continued to take the game to Park and engineered a try themselves from a five metre scrum which when converted saw the scores at 10-all at half time.

Park added to their score in the second half as Hunt converted a penalty, a small lead which appeared to give them added confidence and determination.

Their forwards continued to have a torrid time against the bigger Sefton pack, and even when winning their scrums, often found themselves denied clean possession, and were unable to get their superior backs into play.

A relieving kick from a scrum won under their own posts was mis-fielded by the Sefton winger and snapped up by Park’s skipper Rob Morley.

He found full back Matt Savage in support and he outpaced the home side’s defence to score a memorable 60 metre try.

Hunt added to Park’s score minutes later with a penalty to seal a fine win.

Saturday’s fixture provides another stern test for West Park who entertain Douglas IOM at Red Rocks, kick off 3pm.

West Park 2nd 23 Blackburn 25. The home side can count themselves particularly unlucky in losing to league leaders Blackburn in added time in this excellent fixture, having scored four tries apiece until the visitors added a fifth at the death to seal a somewhat undeserved win.

West Park 3rd 32 Macclesfield 3rd 20. Much the better side, the 3rd XV deservedly took the spoils in this BESTS Shield quarter final cup match.