IT was unfortunate that West Park's first match in National 3 North brought Tynedale to Red Rocks, the visitors, with the benefit of fine consecutive seasons at national level, proved that bit more 'streetwise' than Park, depending heavily on the boot of fly half Phil Belgian and their powerful pack.

The Tynedale backs lay well up on the home three quarters and this brought the first score, Nigel Ryan's pass being intercepted after just five minutes and Tyne' second row Graeme Smith scoring the try and Belgian converting. Park responded with two Andy Soutar penalties to peg six points back. Offside at the resumption saw Belgian increase the visitors' lead to 10-6 with a penalty.

But slick handling from Park and a break by Rob Hitchmough brought Mark Turner a corner flag try which put them 11-10 up. However that was swiftly cancelled out by another Belgian penalty.

Despite having Ben Marshall sin binned for killing the ball Tynedale centre Mark Lycock scored a try, converted by Belgian bringing a 20-11 half time lead to the visitors.

Another ball killing put visitors lock Graeme Smith off for 10 minutes, but a long range penalty by Belgian increased Tynedale's lead to 23-11. With the game slipping away from Park, they scored the try of the match.

Another break by Hitchmough was supported by Soutar, who sent Turner in for his second try. Soutar's conversion made it a 23-18 scoreline and then Matt Henwood picked up from a close scrum to score, the conversion putting Park into the lead at 23-25.

With Park's Mark Williams sin-binned, Belgian regained the lead for Tynedale with his fourth successful penalty kick and the result was sealed in the closing minutes as Belgian added another penalty and replacement Bart Millburn added a try.

Park will have learned much from the experience gained in this opener to take to Darlington next Saturday.

West Park Warriors 5 Congleton 23