WINNINGTON Park’s wait for their first victory of the new season goes on.
Having fallen to a late defeat in their season opener against Altrincham Kersal, Park hit the road for the first time hoping for better against Firwood Waterloo.
However, they ran into a strong performance from the home side, who ran out 42-13 winners.
Park trailed from early in the game as their defence could not prevent an opening Waterloo try between the posts, but Cameron Flanagan quickly got the visitors on the board via a penalty following some indiscipline at the ruck from the hosts.
Unfortunately for Mike Penny’s side, that was as good as it got before half time as the home side took control after a physical 20-minute period in which both sides enjoyed spells of pressure.
They scored two converted tries to lead 21-3 at the interval, but Park started the second half on the offensive as they fought for a way back into the contest.
At one stage, they enjoyed 10 phases of possession attacking the try line, but they could not break through a sturdy home defence and at the other end, Waterloo were clinical and added a fourth try following a break from their own 22 to secure a bonus point.
The game appeared to be up by finally, Park then got themselves something to show for their attacking efforts just before the hour mark when, after strong carries from Dan Williams and Josh Gledhill, quick ball through the backs sent Alex De Keyzer over in the corner.
Five minutes later, they were over again following a cleanly-won lineout as Williams crashed over to reduce Waterloo’s lead to 15 points.
Park continued to attack, but the Waterloo defence proved too strong and the hosts added two late tries to add gloss to the scoreline.
The team return to Burrows Hill for their next game on Saturday as they host Burnage.
Winnington Park: Chris Twigg, Alex De Keyzer, Alex Burrage, Will Du Randt, Dan Daley, Cameron Flanagan, Richard Hart, Dan Williams, Matt Treacy, Phil Lynch, Josh Gledhill, Anthony Hopley, Hanre Coetzee, Freddie Kenyon, Tom King. Subs: Bruce McGrogan, Lewis Pickering, Josh Gibbins
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