THIS was a day when very little went right for LSH as they were ultimately outplayed and outwitted by a smarter Birkenhead side.

The home side's intention of ensuring a physical start resulted in Phil Kearns, on his full debut, requiring treatment to his nose after just five minutes, followed by a steady series of players requiring treatment throughout the afternoon including Jon Hitchen (bicep injury), Chris Stabler (ribs) and Mike Hitchen (split lip).

Despite this the game remained scoreless for 23 minutes, Chris Brand narrowly missing a 45 metre penalty, until the referee reversed an LSH penalty providing Stuart Crampton with a three point opportunity, taken to give Park the lead.

Birkenhead's back row were dominant throughout with flanker Jon Shudall controlling most of their moves and scrum half Chris Saverimutto being given plenty of space in which to operate.

They went further ahead eight minutes later with a sustained forwards drive which seemed to start at the Mersey Tunnel and ended over the LSH line with a try for lock forward Ben O'Rourke.

Just before half time LSH were reduced to fourteen men when Ian Pearce was sent to the sin bin for a swinging arm, spotted by the referee.

The second half was an uninspiring affair. Crampton added two more penalties early on to make the score 14-0 and only a determined defensive effort from LSH enabled the score to stay the same.

As so often on such occasions LSH finally won some ball late on enabling winger Danny Jones to demonstrate what might have been, but it was too little, too late.

There is much for LSH to learn and do in this year's North One competition and they received a sharp lesson at Upper Park from an experienced and streetwise side. Although weakened by injury and absences (Dave Hale, Jim Keulemans and others) Danny Collins' side are capable of better than they showed.

Head Coach Paul Woodward knows that there is a need to improve. He said: "We were disappointing today, but there was no lack of effort and I was pleased with the way we fought to the final whistle.

"We knew this season would be tough. You cannot lose eight or nine quality players and not notice the difference."

LSH are without a First XV fixture this weekend as their intended opposition Hull, are engaged in the Powergen Senior Cup. The second XV are at home at Moss Lane (kick off 3pm) to Blackburn in the Halbro Cup.

LSH 2nd XV 31 Kendal 2nd XV 17

The seconds produced a much improved performance to record their first win of the season. Tries from Chris Dyson, Tom Nelson and Jake Capel in the first half set them up for a deserved victory.

Kendal rallied after the break but further scores from Ray Doolan and a typical barnstorming effort from prop forward Tommy Jackson put the result beyond doubt. Dan Foley landed three conversions.

LSH 3rd XV 10 Glossop 25

The thirds came off second best in a dour battle that produced seven tries. Stand Off Matt Owen crossed for LSH in the first half with Andy Guest grabbing the second midway through the second half.

LSH Veterans 7 Widnes Veterans 22

Despite a well taken try from Stuart Williams, converted by John Dillon, the Vets were trailing 7-12 at half time. They went further behind in the second half and were unable to reduce the arrears.