Northwich 6

Winnington Park 21

NPI Cup

Second round

SATURDAY'S big derby clash ultimately went to form, but Park had to see off a spirited challenge from neighbours Northwich in order to reach the third round of the NPI Cup.

For long periods of the match there was little to choose between the sides, but Park's experience at a higher league level helped them to dig in and clinch victory.

Park led from the start, kicking a penalty after the Northwich forwards strayed offside while repelling an early offensive.

The visitors maintained the upper hand and went close to scoring a try when Staley broke following a lineout move. A last-ditch tackle by Gary Evans saved Northwich, who then began to adjust to the pace and take the game to Park despite losing fly-half Phil Ayres and lock Chris Burmah.

Ayres had missed two long-range penalty attempts when he had to leave the field with damaged elbow ligaments after setting centre Ricky Evans off on a good run.

Northwich were enjoying the better of the exchanges in the scrum, with hooker Ian Taylor in fine form against his former club, but attempts to drive off the back were thwarted time after time by Winnington's resolute back row.

When they did get the ball, Park looked threatening and after a break by their lively backs, the forwards came in to drive over the Northwich line for the opening try.

The conversion was missed, leaving Park 8-0 ahead at the break.

In the second half Northwich piled on the pressure and two penalties from Charles Wood cut the deficit to just two points at 8-6.

Park then hit back with a long-range penalty, and moved further clear as two more penalties gave them a useful cushion at 14-6.

Northwich then lost their impetus and in the closing minutes Park broke through two weak tackles for a converted try to make the game safe.

Although Northwich were disappointed to have lost, coach Chris Brierley felt that they had acquitted themselves well in such a high-pressure game.

He was particularly pleased with the performance of the pack, in which lock Jonathan Simpson was outstanding in the lineout and in open play.

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