WINNINGTON Park’s players will move closer to a return to higher level of rugby if they can defend their Cheshire RFU Bowl crown this weekend.

That’s the view of club captain Mark Patterson ahead of Sunday’s final date with Dukinfield at Lymm’s Beechwood home.

“A win would be a massive boost,” he said.

“It would also mark the latest stage of our return to North One West as winning tournaments and big matches is crucial to a young team’s development.”

Park were relegated in 2008.

Since then they have finished in ninth, seventh and this season fourth position on South Lancashire & Cheshire Division One.

Patterson said: “The group has improved every season since we dropped down a level.

“We targeted a year-on-year progression to put ourselves back in contention for promotion again and I feel that we’ve achieved that.

“The lads are rightly confident they can be winners in the Bowl again as a result.”

Dukinfield, who occupy fourth place in the division below, have failed to beat the men from Burrows Hill in each of their past four meetings.

Reason to be optimistic, but not presumptuous, according to Patterson.

He said: “We were underdogs in last year’s final but won.

“It’s true that our record is good against them, though that probably will serve to motivate them that little bit more.”

Winnington, who hope star man Harry Stubbs (shoulder) recovers from injury to play, head into Sunday’s showdown in poor form too after losing five of their final six league games.

However they still end the term as the highest points scorers outside of the top two, winning more matches than in any of the previous four seasons.

Patterson said: “We’ve struggled for form as injuries have taken their toll and the lads have had nothing to play for after securing fourth place.

“There will be no lack of motivation at the weekend though.”

Kick off is 1.30pm.