WINNINGTON came within a whisker of causing an upset against one of the strongest sides in the Cheshire Conference.

Visitors Ormskirk Heelers were always favourites when fielding several National Conference players, several players from the Premier Division in the North West Counties League and a BARLA international.

However they were made to fight all the way and the result was in doubt until the last five minutes.

Park started badly as they went down 10-0 within as many minutes but they did get back into the game when Mark Thompson made a break and Jamie Evans picked up from the ruck to score out wide. Gareth Tones converted. The visitors then stretched their lead to 16-6 on the stroke of half time.

Winnington came back after the break as Leonard burst through a gap, Tones added the extras. Two quick replies from Ormskirk put them back in command before Jan Cartman superbly offloaded to Rick Smith who scorched in from 20 metres.

It was all Winnington at this point but Heelers came back and scored two late tries to give a harsh looking scoreline of 18-34.