WINNINGTON Park RUFC's first team game at Altrincham Kersal was called off at the last minute after a torrential downpour flooded the pitch.

This weekend they have a Cheshire Cup match, away at Port Sunlight on Sunday (2.30pm) before returning to league action at home to Penrith a week on Saturday.

A combined Winnington Park 2nd and 3rd XV took on Altrincham Kersall 2nd XV on Saturday at Burrows Hill.

Although conditions underfoot were on the soft side following another torrential downpour through the night, both teams attempted to play an expansive game and showed a willingness to counter attack from their respective halves from early on in the match.

Altrincham took the game to Winnington from the kick-off and following some early pressure were eventually awarded with a couple of penalties, the second of which was duly converted to take them into the lead.

But after 10 minutes the ball was fielded by Park's left wing Neil Waring, who set off on a mazy run to score a try in the corner. From a difficult angle Paul McCafferty converted for the extra points.

Some good drives by the forwards and midfield breaks by Sam Barton the backs created some pressure and this was rewarded with two penalties by McCafferty before Terry Jones drove over the line for Park's second try. Paul McCafferty kicked the conversion.

Altrincham Kersal scored another penalty to make the half time score was 20-6.

Jones again drove over for his second try to take Winnington into a comfortable lead, but Altrincham came back strongly and were rewarded with a try from their stand off.

This second half comeback wasn't enough, however, to prevent a 25-13 defeat.

For the juniors, the weather was the winner over the weekend, with all cup tie fixtures bar one called off because of waterlogged pitches.

The match to survive was at under-14 level, where Winnington Park were away to Wilmslow, a repeat of last year's final. Unfortunately, the result was a repeat as well, Winnington going down by the narrowest of margins, 8-7.

Park were eight points adrift well into the second half, but came back with a try from David Platt, converted by John Woodger. With the last kick of the game, Park had a penalty to win the match, but it scraped agonisingly past the post.

The under-16s were due to entertain Caldy at home, and the under-15s to travel to Caldy, but both matches were abandoned and will be rearranged.