West Park 8 Mowden Park 38

WEST Park put up an heroic performance against the big spending league leaders and, after having conceded 98 points at Darlington earlier in the season, showed how much they have improved lately.

The main difference was the sheer physical size of the visitors who only lost by 20 points at Harlequins in the Tetley Bitter Cup recently. West Park matched Mowden for the first 20 minutes as the scrum remained steady and the defence matched any threat. However, the big visiting pack began to wear down Park and from the ample supply of ball they scored two quick converted tries.

After further dogged resistance Richard Lye made a superb break and interpassing led to Ben Chadwick, on as a replacement for the injured Matt Ingram, being bundled into touch in the corner. Sam Taylor continued to provide good line-out ball and Ian Moule drove in hard from No 8. Joel Whitehead was held up just short but slick handling took Mowden up to the other end to score. Further pressure from the last of three set scrummages on the line led to a pushover try on half-time to make it 0-24 at the break.

With West Park slow to start the second-half the visitors scored two quick tries and at 0-38 with 30 minutes left a massacre was on the cards. However, West Park, showing immense spirit, conceded no further points, much to the annoyance of the expectant visiting support.

Indeed, Park rallied in great style and after a penalty by Ben Chadwick they scored a try in the corner from Chadwick after good interpassing in the backs. Chadwick got over the line again but knocked on as the visitors appeared to tire. West Park can again take great heart from their display and have an opportunity to gain that elusive first victory at second bottom Lymm on Saturday.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.