Winnington Park start life at lower level with convincing victory at Isle of Man side Vagabonds

They were made to work harder by Vagabonds on their debut at a lower level after being relegated at the end of last season, but still ran in seven tries.

The first arrived midway through the first half when wing Josh Gibbins gathered a cross-field kick from Jack Williams – after Alex Snasdell’s break from prop started the attack – before dotting down.

Vagas hit back when Aidan O’Shea kicked a penalty only for Josh Brown, cutting a perfect line to collect Jack Williams’ pass, to barge over before the break.

Williams duly converted to make it 12-3.

O’Shea scored out wide, adding a conversion, to bring his side within two points at the start of the second period.

Roger Pickering’s men dominated for the remainder, and Gibbins charged over after Lewis Pickering had sent replacement Dan Billington through a gap in the hosts’ defence.

Gibbins completed his hat-trick after fine approach play by Nic Clawson, then Craig Lamb robbed the ball from a Vagas prop from the kick off.

He tipped on to captain Dave Cross, who raced to the line.

Williams kicked a conversion for 29-10.

Matt Treacy off-loaded to Lamb, who skipped around the full-back to increase the visitors’ lead.

Williams then competed the scoring with time running out, dummying his way over for a try he converted himself.

Pickering said: “Our fitness told in the final 20 minutes or so.

“Gareth Marshall performed superbly for us in the front row, while I thought Cameron Flanagan showed his versatility and promise after a fantastic season with the seconds.”

Eagle, hammered 46-0 at Tyldesley at the weekend, visit Burrows Hill on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Park | Brown, Evans, Marshall, Dave Cross, Moriarty, Snasdell, Treacy, Danny Williams, Matt Cross, Jack Williams, Lamb, Lewis Pickering, Allmark, Gibbins, Flanagan Replacements Billington, Clawson Tries Gibbins (3), Brown, Dave Cross, Lamb, Jack Williams Cons Jack Williams (3)