WHILE Northwich assert bragging rights for another season, Winnington Park were left to reflect again on a derby day disappointment.

Fraser Lindsay told the Guardian his side had been unable to respond to Blacks’ relentless opening during a 32-7 success at Burrows Hill on Saturday.

“That’s when the damage was done,” said Park’s vice-captain.

“I don’t think they took us by surprise, but we hadn’t prepared ourselves for the intensity with which they came at us.

“They started more quickly than us, and kept that pressure on after they had scored.

“By half time we knew it was a long way back.”

Winnington did rally though, reducing the deficit when Shaun Underdown claimed a try that Lindsay converted.

They did not score again though during their best spell of the contest.

Lindsay added: “Had we got a second score then that might have buoyed us a bit more.

“But they replied pretty much straightaway on the break.

“We can take some positives from the second half. We improved, but only in relation to how poor we’d been earlier.

“Even when we raised our performance, we sensed that Northwich still had control.

“They were better than us; well-drilled and effective with everything they did in the game.”

Winnington have now lost three of four league matches played in 2015, slipping to fourth place in the table.

They trail Northwich by seven points with eight games left.

“We’re raring to go for the next game,” said Lindsay.

“We want to get over this blip, and build our confidence back up again by winning matches."

Park visit Bowdon this Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.