WINNINGTON Park’s problem this season will be trying to improve on perfection.

They were promoted as champions at the end of a record-breaking campaign last time around after winning every league game.

A victory in the Cheshire RFU Bowl final added gloss.

But they step up to a newly-formed Lancashire/Cheshire Division One without delusions of grandeur, according to director of rugby Dave Allcock.

“The party has finished,” he said.

“But the positive atmosphere that created is still here.”

Park travel to Hoylake on Saturday for their first fixture at a higher level.

They make that journey buoyed by knowing they can beat their hosts following a 38-8 victory in a knockout encounter last week.

READ: Park 38-8 Hoylake: match report

Allcock told the Guardian that nobody will be getting carried away if they repeat the trick.

He said: “The aim this year is to establish ourselves again at this level.

“If we can finish in the table’s top-half, we’ll consider that as a bonus.

“We expect to be pushed.”

Head coach Matt Farr has kept faith with the team that delivered a league title.

The only exception is likely to be experienced prop Will Burgess, who has struggled with a long-term knee injury.

Allcock believes those players deserve an opportunity to test themselves against better opponents.

There will be greater competition for places too with a pool of players in the senior ranks made deeper by the addition of a crop of promising colts.

Allcock said: “We’ve lots to work on.

“However that process began last season when we spent time trying to instil good habits that will serve us well.

“One of the most pleasing aspects of the win against Hoylake was how we defended when we went down to 14 men.

“We stayed solid, and that spirit and determination not to give anything away is what we’ll need when we come under pressure.

“There will be sides that are much bigger than we are, stronger too, and we must be ready for that.”

READ: Park passed test in Bowl final, says Allcock

He admitted that concerns over how the league would be reorganised had impacted Park’s preparations.

Following the breakaway of a group of Lancashire clubs to form their own competition outside of the RFU’s structure, there was a possibility up to nine of Winnington’s rivals from last season – all of whom they defeated home and away – would be promoted along with them.

Fortunately, an alternative proposal was approved instead.

“It’s been a disjointed summer,” said Allcock.

“Now we’re just looking forward to everything coming together.”