AFTER a bruising defeat to the top of the league Glossop last week, Winnington Park wanted to show the large home crowd they were in with a chance this season and in contention for a promotion spot when they entertained Leigh.

However they succumbed to a 35-13 defeat having had to make a number of changes due to injuries and players unavailable.

They did have key players returning including Dan Williams in the back row and Luke Cannings on the wing.

Within minutes of the start of the game Park were on the back foot with a penalty against them for a high tackle and the points were kicked.

The game settled down and Leigh with a strong heavy pack began to dominate the scrums. Sloppy tackling from the Park defence allowed Leigh to score.

Leigh were penalised for a high tackle and Cam Flanagan kicked over to put points on the board.

Eccles made changes taking off both prop forwards.

Park began to take control of the game putting pressure on the Leigh defence and on the twenty minute mark had a further penalty for a deliberate knock on but they failed to kick the points.

Leigh then had a penalty for not releasing but they grabbed the points.

The first half was ticking away when Leigh with some good ball handling passed the ball down the line and then back again across the pitch to score their second try on the wing the kick was missed putting the visiting side 18-3 at half time.

Coach Farr made changes bringing on Dan Williams in the back row for Gary Dykes and the start looked promising with Park grabbing the first points with a nice try some great ball handling in the backs tacking the ball across the back line supported by the back row for Matt Treacy to score in the corner.

The conversion was missed.

Leigh were again penalised for a high tackle but Park did not capitalise with the extra man. Leigh stepped up there game and scored with again some pace in their backs. The conversion was missed.

Mike Eaves was replaced in the front row for Dan Snowden.

Park were given a penalty for another high tackle this was taken quick by Alex Glendinning who ploughed through three players to score. The conversion was missed.

Park began to take control and the home crowd thought they may just run in further tries but this was not to be.

Luke Cannings had a great run from his own half kicked up field and narrowly missed scoring but the Leigh defender dived on the ball just before Canning.

Leigh were again penalised for a further high tackle and given a yellow card but Park failed to step up to the mark. Leigh fourth try came from again poor judgement from Park a dropped ball was collected by the Leigh winger who sprinted the full length of Park’s half to score under the post.

To add insult to injury Leigh scored their fifth try with the winger darting and weaving through a number of Park players to sprint to the try line.

A disappointing game from a below par home team. All credit to Leigh they played some good rugby were Park made to many mistakes and did not seem to have the same intensity they have shown in the first four league games.

Park’s second row Ben Cann had a good game with some strong ball carrying and the 18-year-old Alex Burrage playing stand off matured as the game went on and would have gained valuable experience in this game.

Park need to raise their game as they have a difficult away match on Saturday at Rochdale.

Squad: Mike Eaves, Jake Cornwell, Shaun Underdown, Dave Cross, Ben Cann, Gary Dykes, Alex Glendinning, Matt Treacy, Archie Sanchez, Alex Burrage, Ryan Williams,Lewis Pickering, Jimmy Moran, Cameron Flanagan and Luke Cannings.

Replacements: Chris Twigg,Dan Snowden and Dan Williams.