An excellent all round display against high-flying opposition from the Isle of Man made for an exciting game which in the long run, though defeated, having scored 4 tries to 3 tries, provided West Park with well deserved two league points.

Though the visitors pack was markedly bigger than their opponents pack, West Park took the game to the visitors from the off, but despite sustained pressure were unable to convert this into points Two penalties in quick succession saw the visitors fly half give them the lead, and a phase of good ball retention and re-cycling provided them with a try in the corner, which was neatly concerted to stretch their lead to 13 points.

Undaunted West Park continued to press, and at last were able to convert this sustained pressure into points, Matt Potter’s neat pick up at the base of the scrum passed on to full back Chris Fortune whose deft pass found the supporting winger Warren Hunt who crossed for what was eventually to become his hat trick of tries.

The try was not able to be converted, and the visitors then added to their score with yet another penalty , made more easily kickable by a further 10 metres awarded by an overly fussy official for challenging his decision.

As half time approached, West Park continued to take the play to the opposition and were rewarded with a try again from a pick up at the base of the scrum by Potter, whose pass to fly half Rosney was passed on further to winger Warren Hunt who expertly fielded his own kick and outpaced the opposition for a fine try in the corner.

Though not converted a score line of 10 pts to 16 pts at half time was commendable and set up a good second half.

The home side resumed their pressure from the restart, and after having one try disallowed , the referee adjudging the final pass from Chris Fortune to have travelled forward, Warren Hunt was again on hand to finish off in style after a strong run from his fellow winger Olly Berry allowed him enough space to squeeze in at the corner, his conversion giving the home side the lead for the first time in the match.

The lead was not held for long however as another penalty for the visitors was converted, and then poor defence and missed tackles allowed them to score their third try wide out, stretching their lead to a somewhat undeserved 12 points.

As the game drew to a close, and now down to 14 men with flanker Loughnane given a yellow card for a hotly contested late tackle, a final assault on the visitors line saw the ball re-cycled several times, and a final charge by prop Dale Morley resulted in a deserved try, Hunt adding to the score with a conversion and resulting in a consolation yet richly deserved two further league points.

West Park 1st XV have no game next week and are scheduled to visit Hoylake for the next league fixture on 22nd March.

Chorley 1st XV 14 pts V West Park 2nd XV 42 pts Next week the 2nd XV entertain high scoring Trafford MV at Red Rocks whilst the 3rd XV face Aspull 1st XV in the BESTS Shield cup competition. Both games kicking off at 3 pm.