WINNINGTON Park are turning to the Springboks to make a promotion leap in the new season.

They begin their North Two campaign at Widnes on Saturday, the team they were relegated with at the end of last season.

However, a trio of South Africans who recently moved to Weaverham, have joined the ranks.

They are former under-21 international scrum half Harvey Biljon, Ali Mlanga and Peter Haines all from Johannesburg Wanderers.

New coach Mark Warr, brought in to replace Len Davies, has also arrived from Wrexham and made an immediate impact by scoring a try in the pre-season 19-15 win over Liverpool St Helens last week.

Former junior and colts captain Jim Davies has switched codes to join Park from Weaverham Rangers. Dave Corwood from Blaydon and Simon Newell from Birkenhead Park have also signed, and Mark Taylor and Phil Welsh have also signed from the junior section.

New captain Gary Bell scored twice in the win over Liverpool St Helens while former skipper John Davies has lent his experienced arm to the coaching team.

Park had another very successful pre-season game, away to Aldershaw on Saturday. They won 36-5, with tries coming from Archer, McCafferty, Beswick, Critchley, Waring and Bell.

Conversions came from one each by Barton, Bell and Archer.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.