West Park 22 Tyldesley 24.
DESPITE being reduced to 14 men for half the game, and at one stage reduced further to 13 men, West Park
recovered from a poor start to almost win a game which with a little more composure was there for the taking.
The visitors scored two tries early in the game, in what was in effect their only two useful opportunities in
Park’s territory for most of the first half.
Their first came from a scrum won against the head, and a following kick chase saw the visitors wing outstrip
the Park defence to touch down , the conversion neatly converted from wide out by full back Mahoney.
Shortly following this score, the visitors cashed in on some poor defensive tackling to cross almost unopposed
under the posts for a try which allowed for an easy conversion.
Close to half time Tyldesley, now playing with renewed confidence, recycled the ball efficiently to engineer another try wide out, which went unconverted.
The home side continued to press with ball in hand and an astute cross field kick from stand off Basley provided
prop Kimberley with the opportunity to burrow his way across the line , the conversion from the touchline well
struck by full back Rosney.
The 19-7 score at the interval was difficult to understand given Park’s overall dominance, but errors and a continuing interest in kicking away possession did little to aid their cause.
Their difficulties were added to considerably on the stroke of half time when a minor skirmish saw the referee issue a red card to Park’s centre for alleged foul play.
West Park, in the face of adversity, at last began to play with greater purpose and belief, and first a successful
penalty from Rosney, and then a crisp movement across the backs finding winger Littler to add a try, which though unconverted reduced the margin to only 4 points.
The home side were further reduced to 13 men in receiving a yellow card for a technical infringement, and the visitors made their superior numbers count as from a catch and drive they crossed wide out for a try, which though unconverted ensured them of maximum league bonus points.
To their credit Park battled well to stay in a game they should never have lost, and brought some respectability to the score as winger Appleton collected a kick ahead to post a try, duly converted by Rosney and thus gain the consolation of one bonus point
This was another far from satisfactory performance by Park and they will need urgently address their obvious deficiencies before next week's fixture when they entertain local opponents Widnes.
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