South Lancashire & Cheshire Division One
Crewe & Nantwich 18
Winnington Park 21

WINNINGTON Park completed a league double over Crewe & Nantwich in a dress rehearsal for April’s Cheshire RFU Bowl final.

They came from behind to do it, recording back-to-back away wins in South Lancashire & Cheshire Division One for the first time since October 2011.

Toby Ward touched down for the hosts inside the first five minutes, punishing two missed tackles to run in from 30 metres. Declan Lyne converted.

Park were positive in response, Sam Brookes slotting a penalty following a period of pressure close to Crewe’s try line.

The visitors added a try too, Will Armstrong plunging over to mark the start of the visitors’ recovery.

In worsening conditions, players on both teams struggled to keep their feet leading to a succession of handling errors.

From one such mistake did Winnington add to their lead, Brookes intercepting a loose pass to score under the posts before adding extras to his try.

Crewe rallied at the start of the second period, reducing their arrears when a sloppy defensive kick by the visitors led to full back Joe Gammage crossing in the corner.

A penalty by Brookes kept Park’s noses in front, although Jamie Little’s three-pointer soon closed the gap again.

Brookes appeared to have settled the outcome with his third penalty of the afternoon, although Crewe’s Little kicked another in reply to leave Park’s resolve to be tested in the closing stages.

They held on, meaning they will seek a hat-trick of wins in the same season against their south Cheshire neighbours when the Bowl final takes place at Wilmslow over Easter.

Relegation-threatened Bowdon visit Burrows Hill this Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Park Jones, Duncan, Allmark, Brookes, Reeks, Lowe, Matthew Cross (Broderick), Stubbs, Armstrong, Williams, Ellison, Alston, Taylor (Sanson), Evans, Underdown. Tries Stubbs, Brookes. Con Brookes. Pens Brookes (3).