West Park 38 Aldwinians 6

TENSIONS ran high in the early stages of this all-important league meeting between first and second in North Two West and the first quarter brought a flurry of penalties.

Using wind advantage Aldwinians mounted a strong forward assault on the Park line. They took the lead with two penalty goals by fly-half Mike Leyden, the second offence resulting in Park prop Carl Wales being sent to the sin-bin after being adjudged to have handled in a ruck.

But Park hit back and concerted pressure by their seven-man pack and good ball retention led to Chris Pennington opening the visitors' defence and his perfectly-timed pass sent Steven Briers in at the corner.

And just before half-time Park handled cleverly from a set scrum to send Gary Monaghan sidestepping his opposite number to outstrip the cover and score a brilliant try, Phil Lawrenson converting to give Park a 12-6 interval advantage.

Fine tackles by Steve Bibby and Sean Fletcher led to a turn-over of possession and some superb handling at top pace let Phil Lawrenson send Monaghan over and round behind the posts, Lawrenson converting.

Determined forward assaults by the Aldwinians pack were met by equally determined Park defence and after a fine Martin Strett tackle had saved a dangerous situation, a long kick by Neil Ryan put visitors' full-back Andy Rigby under pressure. From the resultant set scrum, a good drive by the forwards saw Chris O'Toole send man-of-the-match Ryan in for a try, Lawrenson again adding the conversion.

Park put in some big hits as the visitors strove to get back in the game before a typical Carl Bibby burst brought another try, Fletcher supplying the scoring pass. And the final nail in the Aldwinians' coffin came when Lawrenson intercepted to put Briers in at the corner for his second try.

Six points clear in the league, Park have to take on Aldwinians again in a Lancs Cup tie on Saturday at Audenshaw Park.