WINNINGTON Park pushed North Two West leaders Anselmians all the way but fell short 19-7.

Park missed a couple of penalty conversions in the first half but worked hard defensively and put Anselmians under pressure.

The game was in the balance for 30 minutes but the turning point came after some off-the-ball indiscretions, when two Park players and one from the visitors were shown the yellow card. With the numerical advantage and field position Anselmians touched down twice for a 12-0 interval lead.

Park started the second half with renewed confidence captain Shaun Underdown powered over for a deserved converted try.

Anselmians sealed the win on 53 minutes, finishing off a break through the middle.

The home crowd were given a snapshot of what Park are capable of.

Park: Chris Twigg, Ashley Harding, James Johnson, Lee Allmark, Will Morrillo, Cameron Flanagan, Mat Cross, Ross Morris, Andrew Evans, Shaun Underdown (Captain), Ben Cann, Kieran Taylor, Dave Cross, Matt Treacy, Alex Glendinning, Mike Eaves, Ryan Snow.

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A DIFFICULT season has finally come to an end for Northwich RUFC.

They will return to the North One West for the 2022-23 campaign after struggling to adapt to life in the North Premier.

The campaign ended in familiar fashion on Saturday with a heavy defeat as they lost 81-3 to high-flying Preston Grasshoppers at Moss Farm.

The visitors came into the game still with an outside chance of winning the league title and their class told throughout.

Northwich actually started the game well and controlled early territory but aided by a red card for Blacks forward Jack Bailie, Hoppers weathered the storm and gained command.

They were 40-0 up at the break and continued to stretch their lead before Tom Husbands scored the hosts’ only points via a penalty goal to spare them a scoreless afternoon.

Preston missed out on promotion as they finished second behind champions Otley while Northwich ended the campaign rock bottom of the table.