West Park 21 New Brighton 19

WEST Park maintained their unbeaten start to the season with the very last kick of the match courtesy of a Warren Hunt penalty.

The first half was a poor and dour affair, totally dominated by the New Brighton pack.

Park were not only struggling in the scrums but also in the line-outs, having been unsuccessful to gain any possession whatsoever and were forced to defend most of the half.

Three penalties to one in New Brighton's favour made the half time score 9-3.

The second half started much better.

Park's captain Matt Cozens, once again man of the match, carried the game to the opposition and was ably assisted by his two back row teammates of Patrick Loughnane and Matt Potter.

A clearing kick by the New Brighton fly half found Park’s mercurial full back Matt Savage who beat the initial tacklers and handed on to the Park powerful centre Kal Warburton who carried the movement on 40 metres before eventually finding Dom Basley up in support to score a superb try.

Once again New Brighton via their forwards found themselves in the Park half and from a speculative kick towards the corner the ball bobbled about evading various covering players, eventually falling for the New Brighton centre to stroll up and put his hand on the ball for a converted try and a lead of 16-8.

The next score was going to be vital and fortunately it fell to West Park.

Lee Rosney made another surging run down the left wing and after a very good ruck by Park it was captain Cozens who added a final touch to score wide out. The conversion was missed, 16-13.

Soon after, and on the very rare occasion Park managed to win a line-out close to the opposition line, it was that man again Cozens who provided the finishing touch to crash over the line.

Although the conversion was missed, Park were in the lead for the first time.

New Brighton were far from finished and they were awarded a penalty under the posts which they accepted and converted, giving them back a one-point cushion with just a few minutes remaining.

Park were some 40 metres out when the referee awarded them a penalty and with the clock ticking away it became obvious that this was the very last kick of the match.

Up stepped wingman Warren Hunt and with nerves of steel he slotted the ball between the posts for the winning score.

Park, along with the whole of the rugby union community, have no match this weekend because of the World Cup Final.

Their next game is at Douglas on Isle of Man on Saturday, November 7.