WINNINGTON Park will start a showdown with promotion rivals Liverpool Collegiate this weekend in the position they wanted – as leaders in a race for promotion.

They replaced their next opponents at the table’s summit after recording a seventh successive league win at Wigan last Saturday.

Matt Farr’s men had to adjust to atrocious weather conditions as well as break down resolute opponents.

A first try arrived when Danny Williams made a break on the blind-side, resisting several attempts to stop him before touching down in the corner.

Cameron Flanagan’s conversion was skilfully executed against a swirling wind.

An untidy half was punctuated by numerous stoppages at the scrum, Park stayed focused.

They added to their advantage too when scrum-half Jack Williams danced his way through Wigan’s defence before touching down next to the posts.

Flanagan again landed his kick.

The rain fell heavier still in the second period, and the home team were rewarded for a swift start when captain Tom Wilson’s forward burst ended with Josh Beever going over.

Matthew Tonks’ conversion made it 14-7.

However their hopes of a recovery were damaged when Winnington captain Dave Cross ploughed his way to the whitewash.

Farr shuffled his pack, sending on Andrew Evans and Mike Hallworth in place of Joe Robins and Harry Stubbs.

He introduced Jamie Pugh and Alex Glendinning as well, and the latter earned for the visitors a bonus-point when he dotted down following a rolling maul that involved the whole pack.

The contest ended on a sour note when Wigan’s Elliot Davies was shown a red card for foul play after a heft hit to Danny Williams 10 metres from the hosts’ defensive line.

Flanagan slotted the resulting penalty to complete the scoring.

Farr said: “We did the basics right in terrible conditions, and stayed resilient.

“I would have been happy just to beat a physical opponent, but the lads continued to take the game to Wigan and their effort was rewarded with a bonus-point.”

Park | Taylor, Robins, Underdown, Cross, Stubbs, Dykes, Treacy, Danny Williams, Jack Williams, Flanagan, Allmark, Johnson, Ryan Williams, Moran, Sheppard Replacements Pugh, Evans, Glendinning, Hallworth Tries Danny Williams, Jack Williams, Dave Cross, Glendinning Cons Flanagan (2) Pen Flanagan