West Park produced arguably their best performance of the season, giving undefeated league leaders a run for their money, and fully deserving at least the two league points gained. Neither side was able to field it’s strongest team, but replacements and positional changes in the home side proved no detriment to the team’s overall achievements.

Park struck early in the game with a penalty from winger Warren Hunt, but the visitors hit back re-cycling the ball from a ruck 5 metres out to cross in the corner for a try which was not converted.

The home side were however playing with flair and a belief in their abilities, none more so than stand off and man of the match Liam Hill ,who ran on to a good pass from flanker Potter to slip through the visitors defence and score an excellent try which Hunt converted.

Park continued to take the game to the visitors, and good handling and quick movement of the ball saw centre Matt Savage squeeze in at the corner, a try which was not converted but gave Park a useful 10 point lead.

Despite the referee missing several errors in the build up , New Brighton scored a further unconverted try, which was then answered by Hunt with another successful penalty kick on the stroke of half time.

Inexplicably however the official allowed play to continue for a further 4 minutes, and a lack of concentration by Park allowed the visitors to score again, leaving the score at 18pts to 15 pts to the home side.

As the second half commenced, and New Brighton introduced their Tongan international at No 8 to steady their pack, Park missed a golden chance to stretch their lead as a trademark break from Chris Fortune saw centre Danny Green in support, but with the line beckoning from only 10 metres out he was unable to take the pass, and a crucial score went begging.

The visitors were pressing hard to get the better of some resolute Park defence, and a catch and drive close to the Park line saw their powerful No 8 score to put them in the lead . The home side continued to pass the ball about with gay abandon, but on occasion with too cavalier an attitude, resulting in two further tries for the visitors each from interceptions.

West Park showed good resilience and composure despite these setbacks and got within 7 points of the visitors score with a converted try from prop Dale Morley who finished an excellent move from inside the Park half which featured sterling work from Chris Fortune and Liam Hill. Once again New Brighton’s Tongan international No 8 powered his way over from close range to score a try, but West Park refused to be denied any points from this exciting encounter, and as full time approached, skipper Rob Morley crashed over to give his side it’s fourth try and secure the two bonus points so richly deserved.

Next week West Park travel to Ashton on Mersey, where a similar performance should reap greater reward.

Fleetwood 2nd XV 5 pts V West Park 2nd XV 23 pts Next week the 2nd Xv entertain Leigh at Red Rocks kick off 2.15pm