MATT Farr said his players had been reminded their mistakes will be punished at a higher level following a first league defeat in 18 months.

Bowdon extended a winning start to the season as a result.

“We made too many errors,” said Winnington Park’s head coach afterwards.

“It was always going to be a difficult game, and we held our own in the pack without capitalising on our forwards’ work.”

The Northwich side started impressively at Burrows Hill and took the lead after Harry Stubbs popped the ball into Jimmy Moran’s hands and he sent a long pass to Alex Glendinning who went over the line.

Winnington continued to apply pressure but they gifted to their guests a chance to put their first points on the board after straying offside.

Bowdon then touched down in the corner from a driving maul following a lineout.

A successful conversion followed.

Park responded and Stubbs charged forward from a quickly-taken penalty, passing to Jack Williams in support.

He moved the ball on to James Johnson, who dotted down, and the scores were level again at 10-10.

Bowdon established an interval lead though when they punished sloppy defending to go over in the corner.

The hosts sent on newcomer Chris Twigg for his debut after the interval but it was the visitors who scored next with a converted try.

Stubbs was again alert when the referee awarded his side a penalty, driving to the line with the ball to reduce their arrears to 15-22.

Momentum shifted one way and then another before the second-row was shown a yellow card as punishment for deliberately knocking on while Park defended their line.

A successful penalty, from a central position close to the posts, put the outcome out of Winnington’s reach.

Farr added: “We played well in parts, and will take away the positives from our performance as we continue to adjust to playing in this division.”

Park visit Rochdale next Saturday.

Park | Underdown, Eaves, Evans, Hallworth, Stubbs, Danny Williams, Treacy, Glendinning, Matt Cross, Jack Williams, Pugh, Brookes, Johnson, Moran, Sheppard Replacements Dykes, Twigg, Ryan Williams Tries Glendinning, Johnson, Stubbs