Eagle Show Real Grit in Narrow Defeat at Birkenhead
- eaglerufc
- Nov 10, 2025
- 2 min read
Having had 17 available at 10am on Saturday morning, Eagle went into this weekend’s fixture at Birkenhead Park full of confidence. However, some early teething problems with the new availability tracker and a couple of last minute pull-outs saw the Tricksters reduced to just 14 men.
With a player down, the feeling was simple: dig in, work hard, keep the score respectable.
A late arrival from the referee pushed kick-off back 15 minutes which, if anything, played in Eagle’s favour, with Birkenhead Park already well-warmed up.
From the first whistle, Eagle brought exactly what this club is known for: direct running, tough tackling, and a refusal to back down. The home side looked rattled early, with handling errors creeping in as Eagle pinned them deep inside their own half.
After nearly 20 minutes of pressure, Griffiths spotted his moment. Sniping from the base, he danced through the fractured Park defence to open the scoring. Thomas added the extras.
Eagle’s tail feathers were well and truly up.
Sustained pressure continued, and some crisp hands across the backline sent Cahill over for Eagle’s second of the day. Thomas again made no mistake: 14–0.
Birkenhead Park eventually put together a spell of possession and forced Eagle back into their 22. Despite a strong defensive effort, including a hold-up tackle from returning prop Addley, the referee ruled the ball had been grounded and awarded the try. Half time:
Birkenhead Park 7–14 Eagle.
The half-time message was simple: belief. The 14 who travelled had outworked, out-carried, and out-tackled their opposition.
Predictably, with the extra man, Park eventually crossed again early in the second half. The conversion was missed: 12–14 to Eagle.
Eagle continued to attack with ambition and defended with fire, but frustration saw the visitors reduced to 13 men with a sin-bin. Two-player disadvantage. Pressure mounting. Park camped five metres out.
Eagle absorbed everything. Every carry. Every pick-and-go. Every inch defended.
Then came the moment of disappointment that said everything about the game: Park, with a 2-man advantage and the Eagle line in reach, chose to kick for 3.
Penalty converted. 15–14 Park.
With minutes remaining, Park again declined to run a penalty inside ten metres, opting for goal once more - a sign of Eagle's strong defence.
Final score: Birkenhead Park 18 – 14 Eagle.
A performance full of heart, character, and togetherness. Scoreline aside, the lads left with heads high.
Opposition MOTM: Jono Toher
Actual MOTM: Every single Eagle who took the field
DOTD: Park’s 4 – for kicking it out thinking it was full time
Looking Ahead
We have a big game coming up against Vale of Lune 2nd XV AWAY on 15th November, KO at 2:15 PM! Are you ready for it? Up the gulls!
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