Penrith approached this fixture in good spirits after an excellent
performance and win away at Chester last time out four weeks ago, this
was despite the fact they had two enforced changes with prop, Glenn
Carr, starting at hooker for the first time and young Jake Edgar making
his debut at scrum half. The changes to the side had no profound effect
on the result but the game did follow the pattern of the recent
encounters with the Merseyside club with Penrith coming off second
best.
Birkenhead Park played a tight, muscular game, got their noses in front
and shut up shop, played the percentages, kept possession of the ball,
ran the clock down and were generally very streetwise. They opened the
scoring as early as the sixth minute with a try by the full back, this
was after tremendous pressure built by their forwards pounding the line
and only releasing it to the backs when the defensive line was severely
stretched.
Penrith's problem, especially in the first half was getting their hands
on the ball, the home side gave away possession very reluctantly, they
kicked well to the corners so when the ball was cleared they got the
throw in to the lineouts, Penrith did manage a Steve Wood penalty in
reply but went further behind, first to a penalty kick and then to a
try scored in typical style by the home forwards driving the maul
inexorably to, and then over the Penrith line.
At 13-3 with half time approaching Penrith clawed their way back into
the game with another Wood penalty, Edgar who was having a very
promising debut made a darting run close to the ruck just over half
way, he was in behind the first line of defence and although he was
pulled down inside the 22 the home side were penalised for killing the
ball giving Wood his opportunity, at 13-6 down there was still all to
play for in the second period.
Just minutes into the second half Birkenhead restored their ten point
advantage with another penalty but the Cumbrians were still in the game
and looked dangerous on the occasions they got some decent ball. These
occasions grew fewer, and farther and farther apart as the game went on
as the home side monopolised the ball and slowed the game at every
turn. As time went on the visitors grew more desperate running the ball
from deeper and deeper but, Mike Hawley and Joe Nattrass did break
clear a couple of times, good link up play by James Sanderson and Gary
Hodgson took play well into the home half but the dence killed the ball
and Penrith could take no real advantage from the penalty. Penrith were
trying to pull rabbits out of hats but they couldn't quite weave that
bit of magic to break down a well organised defensive outfit.
The final play of the game saw the home side deep in the Penrith 22 and
when the ball was moved wide they scored a well worked try which was
converted to rather flatter them.
There had not been too much between the two teams but the home side
were just that bit wiser and Penrith's attitude a little naive. It was
far from a disaster and some vital experience was gained by the new
look three prop front row, Edgar at scrum half let no one down and
proved lack of stature need be no drawback in the tackle as he punched
far beyond his weight. All eyes now turn to Billingham at Winters Park
today, the first home game since mid November.