WEST Park won this match due to their tremendous well organised defence throughout and in particular the first 30 minutes which was played completely in their own half because they were struggling in the scrum and surprisingly in the line outs.

However, the home side's pressure eventually told when after 30 minutes Winnington took yet another scrum against the head, which allowed their excellent No 8 to pick up and drive over for the first try of the match, which went unconverted 5 – 0.

West Park replied almost immediately when the enigmatic left wing Chris Fortune intercepted some 60 yards out, he outpaced the cover to score a great try wide out, it went unconverted 5 – 5.

Now playing with a lot more confidence the West Park eight where coming to terms with the much larger opposition pack and did well to win a scrum in the opposition half, allowing fly half Dom Basley to get centre Danny Green into space, he scythed through the home side to score under the posts Warren Hunt converted to take the score to 5 – 12.

Not to be denied Winnington came straight back, once again camped out in West Park’s half their inside centre took his opportunity to score close to the posts, the conversion was missed taking the score to 10 – 12 at half time.

The second half started in similar fashion West Park where defending manfully, but the relentless pressure told when their giant No 8 once again picked up at the back of the scrum and crashed over for his second try which went unconverted, giving Winnington the lead at 15 – 12.

West Parks forwards were now putting in a tremendous effort in defence none more so than the vastly improved second row Lewis Harris he was ably assisted by all the back row and in particular Patrick Loughnane.

With time running out and finding themselves some 70 yards from the opposition line, Danny Green, the West Park centre made the vital break he fed supporting full back Matt Savage who carried the ball forward beating numerous defenders in the process and releasing left wing Chris Fortune who still had a lot to do, but in his usual fashion he finished off this magnificent try, his second which turned out be the winning score, Warren Hunt converted to take the score to 15 -17.

What could have been the final sting in the tail was yet to be played, the referee awarded Winnington a penalty in a very kickable position, only for their fly half to once again miss the target with final kick of the match.

This was a magnificent win for West Park away from home and proves that well organised defences do actually win games.

Other results:

Metrovick 2nds 8 West Park 2nds 17

West Park 3rds 41 Widnes 35