WEST Park recorded a fine 19-10 win in the Isle of Man against Douglas – a team which always provides stiff opposition, especially at home.

Despite enforced changes to their pack the visitors weathered a fiercely competitive first half, which saw the home side score two unconverted tries to lead by 10 points to nil at half time.

Park indeed could have gone in level at half time, as first winger Ollie Berry dropped the ball in the act of scoring and then centre Danny Green was adjudged to have brushed the corner flag as he touched down.

However, buoyed by self belief and perhaps a sense of injustice, the visitors took a firm grip on the match in the second half, and their pack, ably led by captain and man of the match Rob Morley, continued to provide ample ball to their backs, who once again were able to capitalise with excellent tries.

Winger Matt Appleton, neatly fed by centre Dominic Basley, was first to score wide out, then as the visitors’ backs continued to run with ball in hand, space was created to enable stand-off Lee Rosney to cut through the home defence to add a further fine try, which Matt Savage duly converted to put West Park in front.

A returning Matt Couzens came on in the back row from the bench, and his tireless work was rewarded with a fine individual try, picking up a loose ball and outpacing the opposition to score. Savage converted this try also to give the visitors a commanding lead, which they never looked likely to surrender.

This was an excellent all-round performance, especially given the strength of the opposition, and the spirit and commitment shown, if continued, bodes well for the future.

On Saturday another good side, Bowdon, are the visitors to Red Rocks, kick off 3pm.

Other scores: West Park 2nd 27 Preston Grasshoppers 4th 25, Fleetwood 4th 17 West Park 3rd XV 38.

n RUSKIN Park’s 19-18 win over Anselmians was a game to test the resolve and to gauge how far they have improved as a side and it lived up to expectation.

Three red cards and two yellow cards is an indication of the type of game that unfolded, with neither set of players taking a backwards step. Some strong refereeing held the game together and the points interchanged for both teams up to the final seconds of the game.

Superb resolve and control by Ruskin Park, expertly led by their young captain Sam Hughes, saw them home.

A Birch try and four penalties and a conversion from Shaun Tress earned the spoils.

Although the Stuart brothers were again outstanding, the C+A tiling man of the match award was awarded for the second week running to Shaun Tress.