IF anything, a two-week break has come at the wrong time for Winnington Park.

Their next scheduled fixture is not until Saturday, December 7, when they welcome Anselmians to Burrows Hill.

When that game rolls around, they will aim to build momentum after ending a seven-match losing streak on Saturday.

They had an excellent first half to thank as they beat Cumbrian side Aspatria by the narrowest of margins, with Park returning to Cheshire with a 25-24 victory.

The hosts took the lead via a penalty but Park started to move the ball with confidence and eventually, the pressure told as Gary Dykes touched down following a driving maul, with Cameron Flanagan adding the extras.

Flanagan added a penalty shortly afterwards before he proved instrumental in the visitors’ second score.

He kicked ahead for Nick Clawson to chase and the winger then kicked on and won the race to touch the ball down. Flanagan added the extras and a further penalty to send Park into the break 20-3 up.

Unfortunately, they stepped off the gas and allowed the home side to come back into the game.

After the hosts reduced the deficit with a converted try, both sides had a man sent to the sin-bin before Dykes’ second try from another driving maul looked like making Park more comfortable.

Two tries in the final five minutes brought the hosts close, but they left their fightback too late.

Winnington Park: Mike Eaves, Andrew Evans, Shaun Underdown, Matt Treacy, Alex Glendinning, Dan Williams, Dave Cross, Sam Brookes, Cameron Flanagan, Chris Twigg Alex Burrage, Gary Dykes, Dan Berg, Matt Cross, Nick Clawson. Subs: Dan Snowden, Joe Cook, Jimmy Moran