Winnington Park 12 Manchester Medics 5

BEFORE Christmas, chairman Brian Concannon praised Park’s new-found knack of winning from a losing position.

It is an essential trait when plotting a course for promotion.

On an afternoon when a chill wind threatened to blow them off track Winnington, who dominated possession and territory from the first whistle, made his words appear aptly prophetic.

They were far from their best, prevented by the conditions – and opponents who were resilient in defence – from turning their superiority into points.

The Medics did not leave their own half for the first 35 minutes, but took a surprise lead when they did following a period of pressure on the hosts’ defence close to their line.

Conversion missed, they led 5-0 at the break.

They might have extended that advantage early in the second period, but a penalty from a central position drifted wide.

The contest turned after a moment of opportunism from Elliot Alston, who was brave to charge down an attempted kick clear deep inside the visitors’ 22.

Full back Chris Heptinstall was close enough to pick up the loose ball and cross the whitewash.

Fraser Lindsay, assuming kicking duty in the absence of injured Jack Williams, could not add any extras.

Buoyed, Park made the most of their momentum.

A second, match-clinching, try followed from probably their best move of the match.

Raiding down the right, Heptinstall supplied Craig Lamb who sprinted clear before touching down close to the posts.

Lindsay’s kick, from close range, sailed over to make it 12-5.

A victory in the reverse fixture back in September had been similarly slender.

“I’m happy we won and the guys showed resolve to keep going despite falling behind against the run of play,” said skipper Harry Stubbs.

“It was worrying though that we had so much possession and failed to convert it into points.

“We weren’t smart, and made some bad decisions. It’s something we need to learn from – we need to be more clinical.”