BIRKENHEAD Park, appearing in their first home game in National Three North League in their 140th season, provided a performance of which all the past players and supporters would have been proud.

There was enthusiasm and enterprise against a well-drilled side who had narrowly beaten them in the County Cup two weeks previously.

Park, who saw off Morley 34-0 in their opening league match, were 24-0 to the good in this one in almost as many minutes, and although Lymm played better in the second period there was only going to be one outcome.

Dave Ibbotson, Freeman Payne and Greg hughes all scored tries in the opening period with Dan Rich converting all three and adding a penalty.

Lymm responded via an Alex Bennett try converted by Joe Knowles.

The second half saw Ibbotson and Hughes both cross again along with team-mate Chris Tymms.

Two Matthew Barnes-Smith tries, one goaled by Knowles, gave the scoreline more respectability for the visitors.

Saturday’s dinner to celebrate 140 years of rugby at the Upper Park tasted that much better after the encouraging on-pitch show.