DESPERATE for two league points to give them a cushion from teams in the relegation zone, it was not surprising that the visitors proved to be competitive opponents, making Park struggle for an hour to take effective control.

Squandering several scoring chances, an inability to retain possession in attacking positions and missing a number of goal kicks allow Vale to lead at half time.

Returning to first team action Kiwi Matt Henwood picking up from the scrum was driven over for the first score, but Vale's Neil Bennetts kicked two penalties to edge them into a 6-5 lead.

Another Henwood pick-up saw Park prop Ian Critchley cross the line for a second unconverted try, only to have the lead cancelled immediately after the restart as the visitors' No8 Gareth Darwen scored an unopposed try which Bennetts converted.

Trailing by 13-10 Park at last put together some concerted pressure, and slick handling allowed centre Stephen Briers to score their third unconverted try.

Again the lead was short lived as Park's Mark Williams was sin-binned for a technical offence and Vale converted the penalty to lead 16-15pts at the interval.

On the re-start the home side's full back Mark Turner put speedy winger Martin McGeough in the clear, and was up to take the winger's inside pass to score his tenth try of the season.

As Park looked to add to their lead and break from their own "22", a wide pass was intercepted by Vale's South African centre Tyrone Sorona to score a try under the posts which Bennetts duly converted, putting them back in the lead at 27-23, and giving them some hope of a surprise win.

A grubber kick from fly half Neil Ryan was followed up well by Henwood to cross for his second try, and with Andy Soutar at last finding his kicking boots the subsequent conversion gave Park the lead again at 27-23.

Park were made to defend stoically as Vale exerted pressure in a last desperate attempt to salvage something from this see-saw game, but despite Park at this stage also having Newman sin-binned for another technical offence, their defence held firm.

Having weathered the storm, and finishing the stronger, full back Turner and centre Ian Callaghan combined well to send Soutar over for a try which he magnificently converted from the touchline.

Chris Soutar and Andy Perry were introduced from the substitutes bench for prop Liam McLoughlin and winger Martin McGeough respectively to see out what had proved to be a difficult win.

Elsewhere Chester's defeat by Preston moves West Park back into the top four, two points behind the leading three teams, and thus with all to play

for in their remaining fixtures.

Next week sees a return to Cup rugby, with Park taking on Tyldesley at Red Rocks, kick off 2.15pm

Caldy 2nd XV 27 West Park 2nd XV 29

Park's overall work rate and determination won them this difficult game against good opposition, though they left it late to take the points as with literally the last kick of the game full back Lee Rosney magnificently converted a penalty from wide out to seal the win.

West Park thirds 75

Southport seconds 0

This was sweet revenge for Park as they overwhelmed a much changed and considerably weaker side. Gaining the lion's share of possession in the forwards and with speedsters Ryan, Tibbins and Perry out wide it was almost too easy for Park as they rattled up almost a point a minute.

Merseyside Police 13 West Park Warriors 13