THOSE who attended Winnington Park’s first game of the new rugby union season certainly went away entertained.
It was certainly a topsy-turvy game at Burrows Hill, with Park looking like they’d kicked off their new era under new head coach Mike Penny by overhauling a 20-point half-time deficit to win.
However, visitors Altrincham Kersal had other ideas and a winning try just before the final whistle allowed them to leave with a 35-28 victory.
It was one that always appeared likely in the first half when they scored three tries – two of which were converted – to go into the break convincingly ahead.
Park needed a response, and they got an excellent one as they vastly improved in the second half.
After new skipper Dan Williams, Frank Gibbons and Gary Dykes got them on the front foot, Cameron Flanagan put Alex Burrage through the line and he found centre Will Du Randt in support to touch down and get the hosts on the board, with Flanagan converting.
They further reduced the deficit just before the hour mark, with Williams scoring a fine individual try from the scrum base to bring them back within a score of their visitors.
Then, Park hit the front when, after Freddie Kenyon’s excellent 40-metre carry, Dykes found full-back Chris Twigg, who carved through the defence with Flanagan’s conversion edging them one point ahead.
Remarkably, the bonus point was then secured when Twigg chased his own kick and profited from a favourable bounce to score his second try.
Park looked set for victory but as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Altrincham touched down to seal their own four-try bonus point and cut Park’s lead to just three points.
A tense finish was in store and unfortunately for the hosts, they could not hold on as the visitors snatched a late try to seal the victory.
Park’s next game sees them travel to Firwood Waterloo on Saturday.
Winnington Park: Chris Twigg, Jacob Halstein, Alex Burrage, Will Du Randt, Alex De Keyser, Cameron Flanagan, Richard Hart, Dan Williams, Phil Lynch, Gary Dykes, Josh Gledhill, Frank Gibbons, Hanre Coetzee, Freddie Kenyon, Bruce McGrogan
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