Widnes 12, Winnington Park 41: WINNINGTON'S bright start to the campaign picked up extra lustre at Widnes on Saturday.

It took them only five minutes to get off the mark. Full back Ben Barton made a sharp break down the blind side to send winger Nathan Archer in at the corner for the opening try.

But they were just as quickly pegged back, Rob Critchley levelled after breaking a series of half-hearted tackles.

This fiercely competitive encounter somehow recorded no further scores before the break.

Park restored their five point lead within a few minutes of the restart through winger Rick Shaw.

Winnington's forwards became dominant and when they bulldozed their way forward Andy Barnes claimed the third try, improved by Bell, who also landed a penalty shortly after.

Widnes rallied with a converted try but soon fell away as Winnington produced their best rugby of the season.

Coach Mark Warr was the surprise inspiration, being recalled to playing duty because of an injury to Ben Barton and three more tries followed.

Carl Patterson drilled his way over from an unstoppable rolling maul for the first of his two tries. Shaw finished matters with his second try near the end with Bell as always adding the extras.

Other results: Park 2nds beat Aldwinians 31-21 (Joe Ellis, Phil Sturtt, Gareth May, Anthony Murphy, Mark Phoenix tries; Paul McCafferty 3 cons); Park Vagabonds won at Wigan 35-5 (Mike Morton 2, Simon Bytheway, Mark Caine, Ben Elliot tries); Park Veterans beat Wilmslow Vets 57-21 (including tries from Gareth Lloyd 4, Andy McGarrigle 2).

Under 14s: Park won at Chester 12-10 (Dyfed Thomas, Duncan James tries; Andy Milne con).

Anselmians 27 Northwich 10:

Northwich were let down by their finishing again. They were dominant in the first half, but led only 10-8 at the break having failed to kill off their Wirral based hosts on Saturday.

They were caught cold by an Andy Clarke try, but the Northwich pack soon got into their rhythm.

Rob Heath, Graham Robinson and John Brotherton provided the constant forward pressure that resulted in two tries.

Brotherton, developing into a fine prospect at prop, was the scorer of both.

For the last 20 minutes of the first half Northwich were camped in the Anselmians 22 and were awarded two penalties which they ran and failed to score.

Anselmians reduced the arrears with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

The final period was depressing for Northwich followers. A revitalised Anselmians took the game by the scruff of the neck and ran riot. Northwich looked lead-erless and they could make no response to three second half tries from Anselmians.

It was a wasted chance for Northwich to earn breathing space in the relegation battle. On Saturday they host Winnington Park in the Powergen Intermediate Cup (3pm).

Northwich 2nds lost to Anselmians at home 26-13 (Stuart Mills try; Brett Stanley con, 2 pens) nSALE Sharks Tongan Star Epi Taione was at Northwich on Sunday.

Taione, who stands at 6ft 6ins tall and weighs over 17 stone, and captained Tonga in the Rugby World Cup and was a big hit with the 150 children in the under sevens to 14s teams.

The session was part of Sale's community programme, which returns to Moss Farm during October half-term. Bookings and details are available on 08712 220120.