Winnington Park 17 Lymm 29
The new year started with a loss for Park, but having nearly comeback to draw the match there is great hope from a second half performance that showed the heart, spirit and style of rugby to preserve their North Two West League status.
The local derby kicked off in blustery conditions and the heavy, older and more streetwise pack early on took park to the cleaners.
Mistakes and poor decision making cost the home side dearly and they were soon behind to a score from No 8 Sutton for an early 7 nil lead. Park again were guilty of some poor errors and Lymm extended their lead further with 2 push over tries coming after good lineout work not the prettiest of rugby but highly effective and with 25 mins gone park were already 21 points down.
A penalty from full back Williamson extended the lead to 24 nil before the break. And it a sickening punch a second row Ian Moriarty missed by the referee which sadly saw him leave the pitch injured typical of Lymm’s play all afternoon that sparked the home side into action. The desire and fight to get themselves out of a mess began and the rugby began to get better.
Park went at Lymm from the off in the second half and the early pressure told. The park forwards began winning clean ball, which allowed Man of the Match of the match Sam Barton to dictate the game and it was from one of his breaks that Will Burgess took the ball at pace and barged his way over the line to start the comeback Ben Elliot converted and the confidence flowed. The second score some came as Ben Elliot began to use the wind and put Park in the right areas of the pitch. It was another try from close range after good work around the ruck saw hooker Joe Robins score a good try and at 24-12 it was game on. The pace of the game remained and Lymm began to tire, in roads were made all day by Flankers Cross, Richardson and Mckibbon who went forward all day and this allowed the Park backs to move the ball and pull the Lymm forwards about who certainly struggled to keep pace. The next try another belter was scored by Carl Patterson after another quick tap from Sam Barton who made the break and who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side and with 15 mins to go and the score 24-17 anything was possible. Sadly the bounce of the ball and decisions went against the home side and it was Lymm who scored the last try of the match from hooker Griddlestone to make the final score 29-17 to Lymm.
The game was lost but all 18 of the Winnington players can be proud of their efforts and there is definite hope for the coming weeks if the intensity and style of fast flowing rugby can be maintained. There is break next weekend then park have 5 vital games including Leigh, Tylesley and Vale of Lune where six points is a must. And I am positive that 2008 can end better than 2007 on the rugby front. A special mention must go to Ian Moriarty who played his last match on Saturday for year as he is off travelling for a year. Thanks for your efforts ‘Pie’ and ‘enjoy your trip’
Team
Burgess, Robbins, Sullivan, Patterson C , Moriarty, Cross, Mckibbon, Richardson, Barton, Elliot, Shaw, Patterson M, Garbett, Evans, Archer Subs- Warr, Dennett + Armstrong
Burgess
