For the second week running, Hoylake travelled to a match with only 17 players, which demonstrates the impact that so many injuries have had on the club this season. Hoylake have been fortunate to call on some seasoned veterans though, with Dan Baldock returning to the 1st XV and Jason Pell and Darren Agnew continuing to impress during their prolonged run in the team. Dan Gleeson has also returned from a lengthy injury lay off and seems to be set for a strong end to the season.

Despite the injury list reaching epic proportions, with the continued unavailability of James McLaughlin, Tom Corkhill, Jake Woods, Rich Young, Rob Shaw and Guy Byatt, compounded by the unavailability of a couple of other key players, Hoylake were confident of continuing their winning run against a Winnington Park side who seem equally incapable of fielding a consistent XV.

In cold, blustery conditions, the teams were well matched in the opening exchanges despite the obvious size and age difference between the two sides. The lineouts were a lottery for both teams and there were handling errors from each side at key points in the first half. In the end, it was the visitors who got on the score sheet first following some concerted pressure through the forwards and a powerful charge by second row, Ian Griffiths, who got the touch down. Steve Young converted. Soon after, Young added 3 more points with a well struck penalty as Hoylake seemed to be turning the screw.

The last 10 minutes of the half belonged to Winnington Park though and they reduced the arrears with two penalties as the Hoylake defence continued to infringe.

It was of great concern to see Steve Young leave the field with what was feared to be a recurrence of the injury that kept him out for a season, but it seems that it was a false alarm and he should be fit and available for the game against Wigan this Saturday. As it was, the very capable and experienced Matt MacLaren replaced him for the rest of the match.

Leading by just 10-6 at half-time, it was too close for comfort. However, within 5 minutes of the restart, Hoylake put together their best backs move for weeks and winger Dave Cooke was on hand to sprint over from 25 metres. MacLaren missed the extras but the visitors had some much needed breathing space. 15-6.

Winnington Park again capitalised on some Hoylake ill-discipline as eventually they broke the resolute defence and scored a try from their centre, who nipped through a gap that really shouldn’t have been there after a quick tap penalty. The same player missed the extras but again it was all to play for at 15-11.

However, as the snow came down, the game was decided by a moment of madness from the Park full back. He dropped a speculative kick in his own 22 and instead of collecting the ball and continuing the game, he hacked wildly at the ball in disgust. As the referee was waiting for an unlikely advantage, Hoylake’s winger, Liam Rushworth was still chasing. As the ball ricocheted off him, he fly hacked into the open space and won the race to touch the ball down over the line. MacLaren slotted the extras and that completed the scoring for the day, despite plenty of effort to make another breakthrough by both sides for the remaining 15 minutes.

In the end, it was a satisfying victory taking into account the continued disruption within the ranks. Winnington Park are a young side who will undoubtedly improve but the much bigger, ‘experienced’ Hoylake pack managed to keep up with their intentions to play a fast, offloading game. Ian Griffiths was again outstanding in the loose for Hoylake and Darren Agnew put in another decent shift in his new position of Prop. Veteran, Dan Baldock did a good job of marshalling the backs, particularly after Steve Young’s departure and Mike Kearney deputised well at fly half.

Next week, Hoylake will hope to welcome back Guy Byatt and hope to have a fully fit Steve Young in what is likely to be a typically abrasive encounter against a lively Wigan side.