Kirkby Lonsdale skipper Matt Hughes declared his team's away win over much-fancied Birkenhead Park was down to 'an outstanding team performance'.

Kirkby finished 13-6 winners against a very physical Park side who were in second position in the North One West League at the start of the day.

But the away away team lost a man early on in the shape of Jonas Thorson.

"We knew he was striggling before kick off but we took a chance because we didn't have anybody to call on," said Hughes.

"It wasn't ideal but we coped well."

Kirkby had to stand up to a Birkenhead side renowned for aggression.

"They are a big, strong, aggressive side," said Hughes, "they try to intimidate people by slowing the ball down and a few punches went in.

"We knew if we stood up and just played rugby against them then they would come unstuck.

"We knew what to expect and that if we played our game we would have nothing to worry about."

In what proved to be a close game, Birkenhead had the opportunity to take draw level on numerous occasions.

However, their kicking game was poor and this cost them valuable points - much to the delight of Kirkby's Matt Hughes.

"Their poor kicking was the difference between the sides.

"They missed some kicks and opted to run others when they could have got the points."

The referee had a fine game and controlled the level of aggression between the sides well as it could have boiled over.

He booked a player from each team early on to 'keep a lid on things'.

"The referee made a statement saying he was in charge and that there wasn't going to be anything happening. He stamped his authority which was the right thing to do."

Kirkby have now won four games in a row and momentum is well and truly in their favour. Wins against bottom placed sides Wigton and Eccles as well as a strong showing at Warrington before Saturday's win puts them in an ideal position to topple Wilmslow next weekend.

But what has changed for Kirkby?

"Our composure is great," said Hughes.

"Last year we were panicking when we had chances but now we have a plan and know what we are trying to do. It was an outstanding all-round team performance in which every member played beautifully."