Birkenhead Park 38 Morley 0: Morley can't stop power of Birkenhead

Morley were out-muscled and outplayed as Birkenhead Park stormed all over them and, in the process, knocked them off the top of the table where Stockport have gone five points clear.

Morley had always expected this to be a tough encounter but with their pack second best throughout, it turned into a nightmare afternoon as the home side ran in five first-half tries to establish a 31-0 lead at the break.

Even the absence of two regular backs did not explain the way Morley crumbled and they will have to regroup for the run-in if they are not to let what had looked like a comfortable top-two place slip away.

Penrith, who have won three games fewer, are only three points behind Morley, who have the lowest bonus points total in the top nine.