WINNINGTON Park produced one of their best first-half displays of the season to beat Dukinfield at Burrows Hill on Saturday.

Roger Pickering’s side dominated the opening period, only to be left frustrated by only having captain Dave Cross’ try to show for their superiority.

Jack Williams’ boot helped them establish at 16-0 advantage before a huge melee before the interval ended in the dismissal of two players from each side.

Dukinfield, victors in four of their previous five matches, rallied in the second half.

However Jonathan Muttock’s late try, converted by skipper Robbie Wilcox, was all they could muster in reply despite applying concerted pressure.

“We probably ought to have been more comfortable,” said Roger Pickering, Park’s head coach, afterwards.

“But we never really got going after half-time.

“The result doesn’t do us justice – we could have scored several tries in the first 40 minutes.”

The hosts were boosted by the return of Will Burgess, returning to the squad following a year-long absence.

However their injury curse continued when they lost Jack Phillips inside five minutes after he hurt a foot, prompting a reshuffle.

Will Anderson came off the bench to play out wide, while Josh Gibbins switched to full-back.

Winnington broke through midway through the opening period when Cross, after receiving a pass from Matt Treacy, bounced his way through Dukinfield’s defence to score.

Jack Williams, whose initial break had started the move, added the extras.

Park went close several more times, only for the final pass to go astray.

Williams kept the scoreboard ticking over though, slotting three penalties to increase their lead.

Gibbins kept out the visitors at the other end, brilliantly halting the progress of their second-row with a superbly-timed tackle.

The home team defended resolutely after the interval, conceding only when a lapse in concentration allowed Muttock to touch down.

Park | Eaves, Brown, Marshall, Cross, Crosby, Treacy, Dykes, Moriarty, Pugh, Jack Williams, Lamb, Lewis Pickering, Danny Williams, Gibbins, Phillips Replacements Anderson, Burgess, Underdown Try Cross Con Jack Williams Pens Jack Williams (3)