IT is fair to say Winnington Park were up against it for Saturday’s trip to St Benedicts.

They travelled to Cumbria with a bare minimum of 15 players to face a side whose home record has been impressive.

However, Matt Farr’s men returned to Burrows Hill having scored an impressive 21-15 victory to jump up to third in the North Two West table.

Cam Flanagan quickly cancelled out an early home penalty with a kick of his own before adding another three points to edge his side ahead.

However, an unconverted try for the hosts put them 8-6 ahead at the break as the visitors struggled for an opening.

Just after the break, a quick tap from Alex Glendinning led to another penalty, which James Johnson converted to put the visitors ahead again.

Then came Park’s first try – some great phase play and excellent handling led to Gregor Purves marking his debut with a score converted by Flanagan.

This kicked them into life and on the hour mark, some more sublime passing found Jack England on an angled run to touch down and increase the lead.

However, St Benedicts found another gear and put Park under pressure.

The visitors held out until six minutes from time when their defence was finally breached, with a converted try to reduce their lead to six points.

It set up a nervy final few minutes, but Park dug deep to return to Cheshire with the victory.

Their first game of 2022 sees them welcome Southport to Burrows Hill on Saturday, January 8.