West Park 5

THE final scoreline of this important league game was in no way representative of the closeness between these two top sides.

There was much to admire in the approach play of Park, but the vital finish was too often lacking, leaving the overall advantage to Preston's bigger scrum.

The visitors were still reeling from the sudden and unexpected loss of their captain and prop Liam McLoughlin who left to join Orrell the day before the game, thus leaving them without an experienced open side scrummager.

The late signing from Sale of Danny Greenhalgh filled the gap, but left the pack a little lightweight, a fact that the Preston pack used to full advantage.

Adding further to Park's difficulties was the early loss of their experienced and influential fly half Neil Ryan with a foot injury.

The home side's pack provided the first try for their number eight Richard Morton, duly converted by Paul Bailey who added a penalty .

Hard though Park's outstanding flanker Matt Henson and scrum half Darren Wilson tried to get their back line moving, poor ball from an often retreating scrum made it extremely difficult.

Preston added to their score with a converted try and a further penalty kick to double their lead.

Park were in no mood to be defeated without a fight and after near misses from backs Stephen Briers, Mark Turner and Ian Callaghan, their endeavours were justly rewarded with a fine try from Mark Williams.

Second row forward Rob Hanson joined the game from the bench but almost immediately winger Andy Soutar was forced off with an injury, and a further shuffle of the Park team saw Chris Soutar join the pack and back-row forward Carl Newman cover the wing position.

The cause was not helped when Rob Hanson was sin-binned, and Park were required to play out the last ten minutes with only 14 men.

Preston used this catalogue of disturbances to the Park team to their advantage, and with now a numerical advantage scored a further two converted tries in the last five minutes to win by a flattering margin which did little justice to Park's courageous efforts.

Next Saturday Park entertain Middlesborough at Red Rocks, 2.15pm.

Park 2nd 46 Vale of Lune 2nd 25

High flying Park were good value for this win.

Once again Park's pack held their own to provide some decent ball for the backs, with Dan Barker getting a hat trick, added to by speedy fellow winger Lee Rosney and the rapidly improving Alex Holden at scrum half with a try apiece.

Debutant second row forward Al Rigby showed promise in his first game, but was overshadowed by a man of the match performance from back row Rodney Price who set up many moves from the base of the scrum whilst helping himself to a hat trick.

In gusty and difficult conditions full back Chris Myers landed three conversions and went close on other occasions.

Park have drawn Vale away in the semi-final of the Halbro Cup a little later in the season, and next week travel to New Brighton for another league fixture.

West Park 3XV 14

Vale of Lune 3rd 29

An excellent break from stand-off Charlie Woan finished off by centre Ian Stanley opened Park's account. Thereafter a more experienced Preston team took control. Another fine effort from Stanley brought the score to within three points before Vale moved away with two more scores.

Warriors 27 Linley and Kidsgrove 15 Tries came from Mike Simpson, Callum Warburton, Anthony Hall-Turner, Steve Tickle and Luke Tunstall who also added a conversion.