Warrington’s fate in South Lancashire/Cheshire 1 was virtually sealed by this loss to Winnington Park and the home side must now resign themselves to the end of season drop. Indeed, their only chance of a reprieve rests on their winning their remaining four matches while the sides immediately above them must lose all their remaining games.

Perversely, Warrington opened the scoring through a well-stuck Rockey penalty. Furthermore, they were very much on top throughout the first half, most of which was contested in Park’s territory. However, the visitors went ahead just before the turnaround when, totally against the run of play, their stand-off danced past some lazy tackling and fed his winger who showed an ominous turn of speed to touch down and allow an easy conversion.

The second half saw the visitors change gear and start to impose their brand of running rugby on the game. Passes were given and taken at pace and everything revolved around their very strong spine of hooker, number 8, stand-off and full-back. Warrington battled gamely, especially through the non-stop work of Thompson and Wheatley, with occasional highlights including a bullocking run from Lythgoe, a try-saving tackle in the corner from Matt Hennessey and a couple of scything runs from Almond and Rickard. However all this was to no avail and Park closed off the game, first with a penalty and then with a well-worked backs try.

Coach Dave Rockey was philosophical in his assessment when he commented, “At half time we were still very much in with a chance. But just as we did at Wigan last week, we fell off the pace in the second half. These are lessons we are still learning and I am sure that when our young side have taken them on board, we can enjoy a little success over the rest of the season and, if we go down, we will be well prepared to make a speedy return to Division 1.”