Winnington Park 17 Hoylake 7

THEY left it late, but Winnington Park repeated last week’s cup victory against visiting Hoylake when they met again in a league opener on Saturday.

As expected, it was a closer contest at Burrows Hill.

The teams were separated by Jack Williams’ penalty by the break, though the hosts had reason to regret not having a bigger points tally after too often misplacing a decisive pass.

Hoylake continued to apply pressure after the interval, taking a deserved lead when debutant wide man Danny Lewis crossed the line under the sticks.

Joe Lavin converted to make it 7-3.

It provided a wake-up call for Winnington, who replied when Joe Robins held off a challenge from the visitors’ full back to score in the corner.

Williams added the extras with a conversion from the touchline.

They seemed certain to add another try when Lee Allmark, after breaking the line, chipped a perfectly-weighted pass towards Craig Lamb.

However he collided with a teammate going for the same ball, and the chance went begging.

Alex Glendinning was sent to the sin bin during the closing stages, but Park continued to attack despite their forwards being outnumbered.

They were rewarded when, after the ball was recycled quickly, Williams side-stepped his opposite number to touch down close to the posts.

He converted, sealing a 17-7 victory.

“It was disappointing not to get going those patterns of play we’ve practiced,” said captain Harry Stubb, who watched from the sidelines.

“But the guys were resilient, and showed good heart.

“We need to improve, but the signs are promising.”

Park: Sanson, Robins, Underdown, Skelly, Gately, Glendinning, Danny Williams, Lapniewski, Cross, Jack Williams, Lamb, Lindsay, Allmark, Heptinstall, Witter. Replacements: Ridgway, Dykes, Moran. Tries: Robins, Jack Williams. Cons: Jack Williams (2). Pen: Jack Williams.