WINNINGTON Park has its first rugby league international.

Centre Rick Smith played for England Lionhearts on Sunday in their victory over the RAF.

It's a remarkable achievement for the club after just four competitive matches in the denomination.

Coach Roger Pickering admitted he was surprised.

"Nobody expected this to happen so soon," he said.

"Rick's ability at this level is not in doubt, but it was still beyond our wildest dreams to be boasting an England international already."

The Lionhearts is the national team for players in the English Rugby League Conference.

Smith, who lives in Northwich, played the full 80 minutes in the match and now hopes to secure a spot in the Four Nations tournament later this summer.

He enjoyed his first call up to the north west regional squad only last month.

Pickering said: "I think it's all come as a bit of a shock for Rick.

"Yet he still found time to criticise his performance after Sunday's game.

"It tells you something about the standards he sets for himself."

Smith is an experienced rugby union player with Park, but started out playing rugby league under Pickering for the now-defunct Weaverham Wolves.

Talented

"You could tell then he was a hugely talented player," he said.

And the coach says he hopes Smith's success spurs on his teammates.

He tipped Andy Wood and Adam Bown for a call-up later in the summer.

He said: "They're both good enough, so why not?"

Meanwhile his team go from strength to strength in their debut season playing rugby league.

Winnington Park is made up of the best players from Park, Northwich and Weaverham rugby clubs.

Pickering said: "We decided to merge the three to give Vale Royal the best possible chance to be represented on the rugby league map.

"And want to take this team as far as we can."

He pointed out that playing rugby league in Northwich makes it harder for his players. A traditional rugby union town, league players have tended to get overlooked.

"We want to change that," said Pickering.

"It may sound like a pipe dream now, but I believe we can make semi-professional level with this set of players."

Winnington have moved up to third place in the Cheshire division after five matches, winning three and losing the other two.

But the inexperienced team have improved of late, crushing Crewe Wolves last Saturday.

They now have the league leaders Liverpool Buccaneers in their sights.

Pickering added: "There's no reason why we can't keep on winning and catch them."