WINNINGTON'S season dribbled to a close when they lost to the team immediate below them in Division North Two West on Saturday but retained sixth place on superior points difference.

Park made three changes, Jim Davies for Peter Dennett, Tim Cross for captain Matt Dodd and Matt Shillabeer for Simon Jennions, but stand-in skipper Mark Patterson must have been encouraged by Park's start.

They moved the ball well and dominated the first 15 minutes, playing down a considerable slope into a strong wind. It brought a 12th-minute lead through Ben Barton's penalty.

Lymm raised their game from this point on and made good use of the wind to peg Park deep into their own half. The game was a scrappy affair with both sets of forwards cancelling each other out.

The home side scored a well-worked try through winger Mark Berry and hooker Luke Worsley added two penalties before the break.

With the wind, Barton quickly added another penalty and things looked promising for Park.

Rob Burchell replaced the ham-strung hooker Tim Cross but declined to fill the number two shirt that dad Andy had worn as captain in the 80s. Burchell, a Lough-borough University student, took up his accustomed role in the backs with Jonny Evans joining the pack.

However, this was a false dawn and Paul Morris darted through a gap to score under the sticks, Luke Worsley adding the conversion.

For Winnington, Cheshire U20s flanker John Piggot had another excellent game and the day also marked the final appearance of long-serving prop Chris Lakey, who is retiring. Winnington Park U9s and 11s hosted Harrogate and Northwich in a triangular tournament.

Results: U11s - Harrogate 5 Northwich 2; Winnington 2 Harro-gate 1; U9s - Winnington 1 Harro-gate 5; Winnington 6 Northwich 0.

On Sunday, the mini section pays its annual visit to the festival at Leamington Spa, while two of the junior teams feature in the Cheshire Cup Finals being held at Wirral.

At 10.30am, the U13s kick off against Stockport, and at 4.50pm, the Colts face their old rivals Caldy. Meanwhile, Park's and Altrincham Kersal U15s represent Cheshire at a regional tournament at West Park.