Match report by Mark Patterson

Winnington travelled to the once famous Orrell and came away from Lancashire with a tough but deserved victory against dogged and a battling home side. Had the ref managed the ruck, maul and tackle area better I think Park could have scored more but never the less its was a vital 4 points going into this weeks break from League action and will allow park to rest the bruises/injuries from the tough encounter.

Park started brilliantly and played some fast flowing rugby in the wet conditions. Backs and Forwards combined well and early breaks from the outstanding lee allmark and Chris Heals set the tone for the game and the early encounters were fierce. It was from a great move and break from lee allmark that allowed Will Burgess to pop up out wide and with the fullback to beat ran over him for the opening score which Sam Brookes converted for a 7 nil lead. This woke the home side up and soon their big heavy pack began the traditional pick and drive which laid a good platform for Orrells sharp back who soon scored a good try but their were question marks over Parks defence. The kick was missed and Park led 7-5 . Winnington knew they needed to score next as the home side raised their game and were very dangerous on the counter attack, time and again testing Parks defence. Park scored a good second try when after good runs from Harry Stubbs and Ian Moriarty it was left to veteran flanker Ben Richardson to crash over again the kick was made by Brookes and Park led 14-5 at Halftime.

It was crucial Park got off to a good start as the next score was going to be vital and sadly Parks defence again was broken when the dangerous backs rounded 7 would be tacklers for a try which was converted and the game was tight at 14-12. The next 20 mins were frantic with both team making errors and silly penalties being given by the inconsistent referee. It was from ill discipline that Orrell took the lead with a well taken penalty after Park did roll away at the tackle. And with 15 mins to go the home side led 15-14. Thankfully Park did not panic unlike the travelling support that were very much on edge and dominated the last period of the game. 2 coolly slotted Penalties from Sam Brookes and some heroic defence from Callum Hewitt and Will Armstrong saw Park take the vital 4 points with a 20-15 win.

With a rest this week next weekend will allow Park to have 4 good training sessions before the home visit of struggling Ormskirk. There are things to work on but the spirit and determination was all to see on Saturday and if Park can show a little more composure when close to the line, cut out the silly errors there is no reason why we shouldn’t go on a winning run and move up the table .

Team Armstrong R, Robbins, Burgess, Heals, Moriarty, Richardson, Stubbs, Armstrong W (MOM) Cross M, Brookes, Broderick, Hewitt, Bradley, Garbett, Allmark Subs Johny the Vet, Tracey, Cross D