Winnington Park 26 WIdnes 20

TWO successful scoring periods followed by lapses which allowed the opposition back into the game was the story of Winnington Park's opening day win at Burrows Hill on Saturday.

Park fielded a number of new players, including player-coach Mark Warr and their three South African recruits.

But it was Widnes who made the brighter start, taking the play to Winnington and securing two penalty decisions, of which Bruchez kicked one for an early Widnes lead.

Park's first try was not long in coming. A strong break up in the middle led to Carl Patterson, captain for the first time, feeding Phil Beswick to score under the posts. Ben Barton converted.

The home side were soon further ahead when Barton collected a kick forward and sprinted between the posts.

With a 14-3 lead, Park relaxed a bit and the visitors enjoyed a period of both possession and territorial advantage.

A poor drop-out allowed a Widnes forward to move directly at the line and Andy Ruane scored a converted try on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors started the second half with more endeavour and Bruchez reduced the margin with another penalty. Only one point separated the teams now and it seemed that the match could go either way.

All this changed with a quarter of an hour to go. Park completed two short penalties and Warr dived over in the corner.

Winnington maintained this pressure and were rewarded minutes later when Springbok stand-off Harvey Biljohn cut through the middle to score. Ben Barton completed his third conversion.

At 26-13 the home-side looked secure, but Widnes were not finished and scrum-half McLean scoring a converted try.

Time was running out, but Park's survivors from last year must have been recalling Widnes' injury time winner last season.

It never came, but the losers felt that they had run Winnington close and Park now know that this league is a competitive one.