New Brighton 10 West Park 31.

DESPITE driving rain throughout much of the match which was played on a heavy and unforgiving pitch,West Park managed to both win and score the required four tries to ensure maximum league points.

The opening exchanges very much favoured the visitors who registered two tries within the first 15 minutes, both featuring winger Lee Rosney.

He was on hand to complete a slick move by the three quarters to touch down in the corner for the first try, and shortly afterwards his excellent touchline run and neat cross field kick saw the ball collected by scrum half Danny Green to register the second try.

Both scores were added to by accurate conversions from winger Warren Hunt, who

then stretched the visitor’s lead to 17 points with a penalty conversion, only for the home side to open their account with a penalty conversion of their own..

The home side’s forwards began to have greater success in the set pieces, and after a series of untidy scrums not helped by the condition of the pitch, New Brighton were awarded a penalty try, narrowing the gap to just 7 points.

The visitors showed great determination in denying the opposition any further score, with a defiant defence particularly from flankers Matt Cozens and man of the match

Patrick Loughnane.

After an excellent debut prop Ryan O’Hare made way for his fellow newcomer and

fine prospect Kurt Riley, whilst another debutant John Pape took over the wing position from Lee Rosney, with Lewis Harris relieving Anthony Jones in the 2nd row.

West Park continued to look dangerous in possession and a fine break by scrum half Danny Green produced a relieving try from the supporting prop Kurt Riley, which Warren Hunt converted to give the visitors a little breathing space in this close encounter.

Finally as full time approached, pressure on the home side’s defence saw an attempted clearance charged down, and a joint follow up from Rob Morley and Lewis Harris provided a try from close range which Hunt converted to give himself 100 percent success rate with the boot.

Given the conditions this was a determined and laudable effort throughout by the visitors to keep themselves in touch with the top of the league.

Next week Park travel to Anselmians to complete a rearranged fixture previously postponed due to bad weather.