They had every right to be pleased as their high risk policy of using youth with just enough experience paid off handsomely. It could be argued, given the pre-season exodus to West Yorkshire, the director of rugby and head coach had little choice but the youngsters have repaid their faith by stepping up to the plate.

They are also eager to learn from the experienced coaches and veteran team-mates and after the defeat at Morley it was important that the home side were disciplined and returned to winning ways. In the event the young Tigers kept their cool and played some scintillating rugby to boot.

The match was played in unique weather conditions for Dore Moor – hot late September sun and no wind! From the off Tigers pressured their opponents and half backs Drage and Scully took every opportunity to unleash their speedy three quarters at the Birkenhead defence.

They came close after five minutes with a catch and drive from a line-out only to knock on with the try line begging but Tigers were rewarded for their early dominance when Outram kicked a penalty on seven minutes.

The Dore Moor outfit didn't have things all their own way and they came under a period of concerted pressure. Birkenhead, on the back of two wins, had come to play rugby and their backs looked classy as they effortlessly shifted the emphasis of attack with their pivotal set pieces. However it was Tigers who struck again when a free flowing move ended with another penalty award and the ever reliable Outram duly obliged.

The visitors were not to be subdued and hit back with some fantastic back play which almost brought reward until a last-gasp covering tackle from Morley prevented a certain try.

Birkenhead captain Jones was yellow-carded on 25 minutes for leading with his forearm and Tigers immediately turned up the heat to take advantage of the extra man; unfortunately Drage took the wrong option and became isolated when a try seemed certain.

On 34 minutes the home side finally breached the visitors defence with the move of the match. A tip off the top of the lineout found Drage who released a bullet pass to Scully who in turn set free a rampaging Tilyer in midfield. He brilliantly off-loaded to a steaming-like-a-jet Tom Bray who touched down under the posts for a converted try. Despite the setback Park's resolve was still not broken and they hit back quickly with a well struck penalty from Hall and then reduced the deficit further when a fleet-footed Malloy outpaced the Tigers defence for a converted try after a turn over to make the half time score a too-close-for-comfort 13 -10.

Home fans fears were diminished at the start of the second half when Tigers hooker Dave Price went over after a catch and drive and the metronomic Outram added the conversion to increase the gap to 10 points. They breathed a further sigh of relief when Outram added another penalty to the tally on 65 minutes.



But Park refused to lie down and the inspirational Jones gave Tigers a taste of their own medicine when he scored a converted try to narrow the gap to six points.

The home side hit back with a period of pressure which eventually resulted in a further Outram penalty on 74 minutes. Yet again, to their credit, the visitors roared back but were unable to add to their score as Tigers closed out the game.

Verdict: A fantastic game with two sides determined to play rugby and come the spring I would expect both of them to be involved in the shake-up for promotion. One of the most pleasing things for Tigers must be the way they dominated the set piece. Last season Park destroyed them in the scrum but this time they more than held their own and dominated the visitors at the line out. The future's so bright at Dore Moor I think I'll have to start wearing shades!

Team: Toews, Price, Bunting, Joel (capt.), Barnes, Barrett, Rockey, Pearson, Drage, Scully, Bowman, Tilyer, Bray, Morley, Outram. Replacements: McMillan, Parsons, Dale.

Tigers travel to Beverley tomorrow.

A hat-trick of tries from Man of the Match Sam Farrell put Tigers Under-15s on course for a 32-0 victory over Glossop in their first home match of the season. Other try scorers were Ewan White, Declan Dunn and Henry Curtis while Michael Wetherill kicked one conversion.



What do you think? Add your comments below

MORE:
Local News
Local Sport
Arts Guide
Listings Guide
Restaurant Guide
Letters