Warrington RUFC...6

Birkenhead Park...14

THE re-arranged fixture between the top two teams in the league produced a game of rugby straight out of the top drawer.

Warrington had the better of the early exchanges, with strong driving by the forwards and slick handling from the backs allowing Neil Jackson to cross the line - only to be brought back for a forward pass.

Birkenhead converted two penalties when Warrington strayed off side.

Andy James replied with a splendid 40-metre drop goal but a scrum against the head led to Birkenhead Park pressure and a further successful penalty near to half-time.

Warrington opened the second half strongly with a James penalty and at only 6-9 down were matching their opponents in all departments.

Unfortunately a spilled ball from Warrington centre Anton Fields, who otherwise had a superb game, allowed Birkenhead Park to sweep the length of the field and squeeze in for a crucial try.

From then on Warrington were forced to play catch-up rugby, and the loss of man of the match Gary Tees with a knee injury and James to the sin bin for a late tackle, disrupted their play.

The Warrington forwards fought to the final whistle, with Dave Nicholls and Peter Holce prominent throughout and Tees knocking down opponents with crunching tackles.

Birkenhead Park are now favourites for automatic promotion to North West Two, with Warrington taking the harder route of a play-off at the end of the season.