IT’S not just about defending.

Winnington Park continued their adjustment to playing at a higher level when they showed an expansive side to finish September with three wins from four matches.

Their reward is to sit fourth in the table with a game in hand on rivals ahead of them.

Not that head coach Matt Farr is studying the standings.

He said: “We’ve still got work to do, and must make fewer mistakes if we’re to continue making progress.

“However we played some great running rugby and scored nice tries.”

There was an impressive cameo too from Jack Williams in an unfamiliar role, swapping scrum-half for full-back.

He darted through a gap in the visitors’ defence before passing to Chris Twigg for the opening try, converted by Cameron Flanagan.

Leigh responded when Rob Drake kicked a penalty.

Flanagan matched that feat when a visiting player strayed offside and Williams again conjured a try, this time for prop Shaun Underdown in support, after a weaving run.

Flanagan’s next three-pointer made it 18-3 before Park’s guests reduced a gap on the scoreboard when Drake invited Frankie Halton to gallop to the whitewash.

Farr sent on Lee Allmark and Harry Stubbs at the start of the second-half and the latter wasted no time adding his name to a list of try-scorers after Mike Hallworth popped up a ball for him to drive over.

Flanagan duly added the extras.

Leigh didn’t cave, and Alex Leadbetter timed a release perfectly for Drake to cut a perfect line to the whitewash.

He converted his own try.

Flanagan continued to punish the away side for their ill-discipline, landing two further penalties, before Winnington applied a final flourish to delight a bumper crowd when replacement Jimmy Moran dived over to secure a bonus point after Jack Williams’ kick bounced favourably.

Farr beamed: “Jack has the ability to play anywhere in the backs division.”

Park | Underdown, Eaves, Evans, Hallworth, Dave Cross, Danny Williams, Dykes, Glendinning, Jack Williams, Flanagan, Brookes, Johnson, Ryan Williams, Matt Cross, Twigg Replacements Stubbs, Moran, Allmark Tries Twigg, Underdown, Stubbs, Moran Cons Flanagan (3) Pens Flanagan (4)