PARK were frozen out of the promotion race within five minutes of Saturday's crucial clash in icy Cumbria.

They were the victims of Penrith's explosive start and were 12 points adrift before they had worked the long journey out of their legs.

Depleted Winnington were forced to include both Rick Jennings and Ian Moriarty, who have been out with injuries and who physio Pete Henderson would have preferred not to return to action for at least another two weeks.

In a further blow Ben Richardson had to withdraw from the travelling party on Saturday morning, meaning Park had only two replacements.

Penrith's early blitz stirred Park to retaliate and Ben Barton and Steve Jones made some telling breaks. Their pack worked their physical opposite numbers hard and in the 20th minute Ben Barton's penalty kicked them on to the scoreboard.

Just as Park were looking like narrowing the difference further, Penrith's South African centre Jansen intercepted a pass from Ben Barton and raced the length of the field to score.

The conversion was a formality and Park trailed at the break 19-3.

Jonny Evans scored a brave try in the corner and Sam Barton finished off a good handling move, where prop Mark Taylor had shown good pace and a pop pass out of the tackle to create the try. Ben Barton kicked a conversion, but Penrith added further points through Hellies and the boot of Young.

Winnington coach Mark Warr said: 'We blew it in the first five minutes.

Our defence has been outstanding this year but we seemed to have left all our tackles on the coach.'

Manager Mike Bebbington added: 'The last few weeks have shown us that we need a bigger playing squad.'

Prop Nigel Blenkinsop, who played at Park in the 1990s, should complete his signing, announced on this page last week, soon and three other local recruits are expected.

Winnington host Lymm on Saturday and are at New Brighton in the Cheshire Cup on Sunday.