PARK completed a North One double over neighbours LSH in a dour struggle with both teams battling against a howling gale and later on, a violent hailstorm.

The visitors proved to be too lively for LSH, running in two tries to the home sides' solitary penalty.

Moss Lane's biggest crowd of the season saw total commitment from both sides and a match winning display from Park half backs Darren Wilson and Neil Ryan. Their clever interplay, mixed with some fine individual touches, troubled LSH all afternoon and proved to be decisive in a tight game.

West Park, having elected to play against the wind, made an early breakthrough after a break down the left wing outpaced the LSH defence before the ball was swung through three pairs of hands to winger Martin McGeogh for a try to the right of the posts. Ryan converted to give West Park a 7-0 lead after four minutes.

LSH, for whom forwards Dave Hale and Tim Hewlett were outstanding, fought back to win a penalty landed successfully by Simon Worsley in the twelfth minute.

Park, with flanker Paul Bamber also in commanding form, countered with another move along the backs but were thwarted by a forward pass when Souter had the line at his mercy before LSH launched a powerful finish to the first half.

An excellent move involving Mike Hitchen and Dan Jones took them almost to the line followed by six attacking phases in which Oliver Cashman, Hewlett, Ben Davis and Mark Handley all went close.

The Park defence stood firm, however, and the teams changed round with a 3-7 scoreline.

Understandably, in worsening conditions, the second half was uninspiring.

Despite losing Wilson to the sin bin for a petulant lapse, Park produced the only score of the half after 60 minutes when centre Ian Callaghan evaded three LSH tackles for an excellent individual score.

Neither side looked like adding to the score in the last quarter.

West Park now move up to fourth place and look forward to a spring campaign in contention for promotion while LSH remain in eighth position and face an anxious three months.

They urgently need to find the spark that will ignite their season and officials may need to strengthen the current squad before it's too late.

This Saturday sees LSH travel to Altrincham Kersal for the replay of the game abandoned in October when the referee was unable to continue with LSH winning 26-10.

It remains to be seen whether justice will be done.

Altricham Kersal 2nds 21 LSH 2nds 10

This was a heartening performance from the beleaguered seconds with the result in doubt until the final minute.

A try and conversion from the home side in injury time finally put paid to a tremendous 15 man effort.

Altrincham went ahead with two early strikes to take a14-0 lead after which LSH, with a pack well marshalled by Colin Mercure, enjoyed more than their share of possession.

All they had to show at half time however, was a penalty from the welcome prodigal Michael Jones.

LSH fought back further in the second half with Gaz Tudor and Andy Glover in fine form.

Strong pressure brought a try when the alert Chris McRoberts scooted over from a quick tap penalty, converted by Jones.