Birkenhead Park took full advantage of a weakened Liverpool St Helens side as they ploughed their way through the elements to record a comprehensive win that keeps them in second place in North One West.

For LSH it was always going to be a difficult encounter with a makeshift backline without Smith, Stanley and Glover and so it proved. If it had been a boxing match, Referee Tim Brown would have stopped it at half time.

Birkenhead Park scored eleven tries, six in the first half with winger Greg Hughes running in the first two in the opening fifteen minutes both coming after decent play from LSH had broken down in midfield.

Despite the subsequent scoreline the visitors, playing into a strong wind, more than held their own until the half hour mark when Park ran in four more tries before the break.

These came from Laurence Cowan, Billy Woof, Gavin Scott and Stuart Brown with skipper Dave Hall converting five in the half for a 40-0 half time lead. The second half was notable for four things.

Firstly, five more tries from Park, scored by Dave Hall, Laurence Thomas, Danny Rich and two from Dave Ibbotson, three converted by Hall. Secondly, a try for LSH from scrum half Rob Dyer in the 60th minute after strong LSH pressure on the Park Line converted by Dan Filson, some reward for a team that never gave in.

Thirdly the arrival of two large rainstorms, one accompanied by hail, which sent most of the crowd indoors. And fourthly, the sending off of tight head prop Mark Fryer for foul play.

Not a great day for the Moss Laners capped off by the sight of young flanker Connor Charlton with his shoulder in a sling. Another addition to a lengthening injury list.