WINNINGTON Park fell 41-20 away to an in-form Birkenhead Park, with a first win of the new season continuing to remain elusive.

They led 6-5 at the end of the first quarter but they then conceded two quickfire converted tries and never really looked like rescuing the situation in a tough Regional 2 North West encounter played in very poor conditions.

Winnington’s players in a shuffled side did work hard and it was an improved performance from the week before, with the big positive being the displays of younger players who showed what they are capable of.

Birkenhead, who went into the game with three wins from four, opened the scoring with an unconverted try with a narrow-side move from a scrum 30 metres out.

From the restart, Park earned a penalty which was pushed wide of the posts but further indiscipline by BP gave Benny Elliot another shot at goal from 42 metres which he struck well for 5-3.

On 20 minutes Benny Elliot was sat in the pocket and put Park ahead with a lovely drop goal.

BP started showing their dominance in the scrum and caused Park problems.

Indiscipline by Park gave BP a shot at goal which they took to take the lead again before a try went begging when they knocked on over the line.

However, they kept the pressure on and two converted scores in five minutes stretched their advantage to 22-6.

Park achieved the final points of the first half when Charlie Hyde hounded the BP full back and charged down his clearance kick, picked up the ball with a bit of a juggle and ran in from 30 metres for a great converted try.

The first points of the second half went to BP on 51 minutes when they pinned Park down and crossed in the corner from sustained pressure.

Ten minutes later they were in again when the scrum-half broke a couple of tackles to score a solo try from close quarters. Park dug deep and their second try came from close range, with Luke Westgate driving through the BP defence and Elliot’s extras made it 34-20).

With only minutes left on the clock BP scored their sixth try.

Winnington: Chris Twigg, Charlie Hyde, Tom Merrick, James Weeks, Nathan Taylor, Benny Elliot, Cameron Flanagan, James Johnson, Luke Westgate, Ben Lilley, Matt Treacy, Frank Gibbons, Ross Morrin, Tom King, Sam Blears, Jordan France, Bradley Marshall.

Park host ninth-placed Liverpool St Helens at Burrow Hill on Saturday.