Hoylake 17 Winnington Park 22

WINNINGTON Park reached their season’s target of a top-four finish on Saturday, but had to recover from a sluggish start to win at relegation-threatened Hoylake.

They conceded two tries, the first when the hosts’ skipper Matt O’Neill powered over – converted by Joe Lavin – to trail in the opening exchanges.

Guy Byatt was next to cross for Hoylake, dotting down after resisting attempted tackles to leave Lavin a simple conversion attempt.

Park settled afterwards, and were unlucky not to register their first score following a fine drive by the front five that ended with Harry Stubbs stopped short of the line.

Fraser Lindsay seemed a certain scorer when he raced 70 yards after intercepting a loose pass, only for Lavin to execute perfect cover tackle.

Instead Park trailed 14-3 at the break, with only Lindsay’s penalty to show for their effort.

The second period was a contrasting story.

Winger Luke Cannings cut through Hoylake’s defence to touch down an excellent team try close to the posts, though Lindsay could not add the extras.

Cannings then bagged a second after gathering a clearance kick, stepping his way past would-be tacklers to cross the whitewash out wide.

Lindsay’s extras put Park ahead, at 15-14, for the first time.

A third try, this time from fly-half Jack Williams after he danced his way around covering defenders, ended the hosts’ resistance.

Lavin converted a tricky-looking penalty, after Shaun Underdown had been sent to the sin bin, to complete the scoring.

“We can be happy after a great season,” said Stubbs.

“These boys have matured, and the future looks bright for a group of young players that have grown as a unit and are now playing with a lot of belief.

“We can make progress again next season if they show the same level of commitment.”

Park Burgess, Robins, Underdown, Dave Cross, Skelley, Dykes, Danny Williams, Stubbs, Matt Cross, Jack Williams, Cannings, Allmark, Lindsay, Lamb, Heptinstall Replacements Ridgway, Alston, Charlton Tries Cannings (2), Jack Williams Cons Lindsay (2) Pen Lindsay