PREPARATIONS for the new season at Winnington Park Rugby Club are up and running.

A Park select XV made up of first and second-team players defeated Gary Dykes’ Old Boys 31-26 in a friendly on Friday, providing the first run-out for months for some players and for more than 10 years for some others!

The game was played under specially adapted rules, with the coronavirus pandemic in mind.

Training continues for the three senior men’s teams on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, with the intensity increasing weekly until the new league season starts on September 4.

Further friendlies have been arranged leading into the home Cheshire Cup clash against Lymm on Friday, August 27, kick-off 7.30pm.

Winnington Park select teams entertain Holmes Chapel on Friday, August 19 and visit Sefton as well as hosting Rochdale thirds on Saturday, August 20.