WINNINGTON came within 15 minutes of a major Cheshire Cup upset when they took holders New Brighton to the wire in Sunday's quarter-finals.

With player-coach Mark Warr a flu victim, Park called on Weaverham RL's Mike Gallimore to fill the scrum-half berth. Ex-Winnington junior Gallimore, who was with Northwich last season and the only player to have turned out for all three clubs in both codes, slotted in perfectly.

Park initially looked overwhelmed by the pace of New Brighton's higher level game. Adam Kettle scored the first try after only five minutes and Cheshire stand-off Tony Birley converted.

Park responded well. Telling tackles from Steve Jones and harrying work from Mark Phoenix put them in a good position and their confidence grew.

The forwards exerted good pressure on the New Brighton line and Gallimore, who was instrumental in all of Park's good work, saw a gap to squeeze through, Ben Barton converting.

Barton, Park's leading scorer and an inspirational player, hurt an eye and had to be replaced by Nathan Archer just before the break.

And the home side scored as soon as play restarted through Jay Stirret and again Birley converted.

Park hit back strongly and their pack won a clean line-out. With a concerted effort they drove the New Brighton pack over the line for Richard Smith to claim the touchdown. Gallimore took over the kicking duties and was just short with the long range attempt.

In the 50th minute Paul Jones was hauled down inches short after a 60-metre sprint for the line having intercepted a pass deep inside his own half. From the resulting play Park's forwards drove over again and Pete Almond registered the try. Gallimore converted and Park went ahead.

New Brighton were rattled and a cup upset was on the cards. In 65 minutes they made several changes from their impressive looking bench and among them was ex-Park man Ian Davies.

The fresh legs seemed to do the trick,

a John Harris try, plus a conversion and a penalty by Steve Dean, took New Brighton to 24-19 after 70 minutes when Chris Planchant crossed for another try to make it 29-19.

Determined driving work by the forwards saw the tireless Andy Barnes go over in the corner. Gallimore had the long range conversion attempt to narrow the gap to three points, and set up an exciting final five minutes, but again his kick dropped frustratingly short.

New Brighton had the final say with a try from one of their four Tongans, Katilomolino Tuipuloto.