WINNINGTON Park scored 20 unanswered points in the final 25 minutes to secure their first win of 2023 against Vale of Lune at Burrows Hill on Saturday.

Scoring had been tit-for-tat as 22-22 was reached early in the second half, but the visitors built a 36-22 lead by the 55th minute mark.

Park, who racked up 21 points in the final 15 minutes at Bowdon the previous week but ultimately lost 38-31, enjoyed the rewards of their late efforts this time as they secured a fourth win of the season that moves them up to ninth in RFU Regional Two North West.

The club’s chiefs consider it a performance that was an improvement on other improved displays of late.

A Benny Elliot penalty try and penalty were added to by tries from Justin Oles and Charlie Hyde as Park matched Vale of Lune point for point.

And then Alex Burrage, Oles and Hyde added tries in the rally that broke Vale of Lune hearts.

At 22-36, the momentum turned when Park worked hard at the breakdown to win a penalty and kick for territory.

The lineout was secured and Evan Boucher powered through the defence on the first phase to run 30 metres but was tackled five metres out.

Dave Cross quickly recycled the ball to Elliot who found James Johnson to put Burrage over in the corner for a try bonus point.

Park were now on the front foot and after some hard yards made by Tom King the ball was spun out wide where Hyde made 30 metres with a great run to put Park just short of the 22.

Again King and Matt Treacy took the ball into contact and with quick recycling from Cameron Flanagan to Elliot it allowed Oles to go through a gap with a great direct run to score an unconverted try and leave his side just two points in arrears.

A Vale penalty attempt went wide before both sides fell foul of indiscipline, with a yellow card being shown to a player from each team.

Park dug deep and with strong carries by the forwards made ground to put Vale under pressure.

Elliot made a great break to get Park into the 22 and the ball was quickly recycled through a couple of phases by Dan Williams and Justin Oles.

The ball was spun out to James Johnson who passed to Burrage who released Hyde into the corner for Park’s sixth try of the game.

The final points came from the boot of Elliot who kicked a penalty to secure the win with the final kick of the game.

Park: Chris Twigg, Liam Geary, Alex Burrage, James Johnson (Captain), Charlie Hyde, Benny Elliot, Cameron Flanagan, Dan Williams, Matt Treacy, Gary Dykes, Dave Cross, Ben Cann, Shaun Underdown, Justin Oles, Ross Morrin, Tom King, Jack England, Evan Boucher.