HELSBY got their season underway with a winning start, although they made hard work of it in the first quarter.

Falling behind to an early Parkonians try, Helsby soon took control when Phil Gibson raced in to score a try in the corner following a fine move.

Rowlinson landed a touchline conversion then added extra points by kicking a penalty.

Helsby edged out further into the lead when Bob Merrill cut through the home defence to score an excellent individual try to make it 15-7.

Parkonians came out strongly in the second period forcing the visitor's pack into some sterling defensive work before centre Gordon Lilley settled Helsby down again when he touched down for a try following a mistake by the home side.

Helsby sealed it in the last minute when Mark Ellams superb break allowed Andy Rowlinson in support to sprint 50 yards to score and follow up with a conversion.

A GRITTY display helped make it a double winning start for the seconds.

Thanks to a last gasp try from full-back Paul Williams after Helsby had trailed for most of the second-half.

The home side began more promising with Matt Ryder opening the score early in the first-half.

His superb individual try was converted by Paul Ryder.

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