HAVING beaten last week’s opponents with the last kick of the match, it was West Park’s turn to taste defeat again with the last kick of a close fought game at Hoylake.

Against a much bigger and more experienced pack, the visitors were not fazed by the contest up front and gave equally as good as they got throughout the match.

In one of the first moves of the gam , Park’s centre Savage was shown the yellow card for holding on to the ball in the tackle.

This proved to be one of a series of controversial calls against the visitors which did little to promote flowing rugby.

Though a man short Park continued to take the game to Hoylake and were eventually awarded a penalty which was neatly converted by prop John Gorst.

Hoylake continued to press, keeping the ball almost exclusively in their forwards and after a series of assaults on the visitors line, another forward maul from five metres out saw them eventually force No8 Kurton over for a try.

Shortly after half time Gorst converted another penalty to put the visitors in the lead by the smallest of margins, a lead they kept against all odds until the last minute of the game, when Hoylake were awarded a penalty some 30 metres out which was competently converted by their full back to steal the win.

West Park can however be proud of their overall efforts throughout this entertaining game , and the cohesion within the forwards is steadily growing with each game.

To mark the death of a Hoylake member and long standing friend of West Park’s President Justin Wilson, he donated a trophy to be played for at this fixture each year, a gesture which was warmly received by all.

On Saturday West Park 1st XV entertain Bowdon at Red Rocks, kick off 3pm, with West Park’s 2nd XV looking to continue winning ways at Liverpool Collegiate.

The seconds defeated Glossop 38-10 at home at the weekend.