WINNINGTON Park paid the price for a below-par performance in a 33-10 home defeat to Widnes.
With trailing 26-5 at the break, they left themselves with a mountain to climb and the gap proved to be too wide to bridge on a blustery afternoon.
Park’s second loss – and Widnes’ second win – of the season leaves the sides sixth and seventh respectively in Regional 2 North West.
Widnes struck first on six minutes with a converted try.
Park hit back two minutes later when Eli Fakailoatonga broke two tackles, offloaded to Robin Lowndes and he found Teddie McCaffrey to dive over in the corner.
Widnes got another breakthrough on 26 minutes following a scrum five metres out and on the second attempt they scored an unconverted try.
Three minutes later Widnes were in again following some scrappy play from Park. Widnes went wide quickly got on the outside of the defence to score in the corner.
The final points of the half came on 33 minutes when Widnes fielded their own kick in midfield, took the tackle, and recycled quickly to the winger who kicked into the Park 22 for the visiting full-back to race through and score.
As the second half got underway, Widnes were content with defending and trying to pick up points through the boot although they missed penalty attempts at goal on 41 and 43 minutes.
The following 20 minutes were tough and close.
Widnes scored again on 65 minutes with another converted try to take the game away from Park (5-33).
The last points of the game did come from Park when Jack Williams evaded three tackles to launch an attack involving Robin Lowndes, Matt Treacy, Will Du Randt and Lowndes again before Du Randt finished off.
Winnington Park: Alex De Keyzer, Riewoldt Teabuge, Lewis Pickering, Will Du Randt, Teddie McCaffery, Jack Williams, Cameron Flanagan, Dan Williams (Captain), Matthew Treacy, Robin Lowndes, Johdell Akua, Anthony Hopley, Conor Lapniewski, Eli Fakailoatonga, Joel Gaidan, Josh Gibbins, Gary Dykes, Jack O’Neill.
