Hoylake 17 - 22 Winnington Park

It’s that time of the year when players and supports alike pull out their calculators trying to work out what is required to stay in South Cheshire Lancashire 1 next season. With Altrincham Kersal hosting Manchester Medics in their final game, Hoylake were hopefully that a heavy win for AK might give Hoylake a little breathing space. Whatever happened elsewhere, Hoylake survival was still in their own hands. Two wins from the final two games would see the great escape complete so it was imperative that this week’s encounter against old foes Winnington Park treated with the magnitude it deserved.

Despite injuries in last week's game the forwards were mainly unchanged. Skipper Matt O'Neill came back into the starting line-up, Phil James moved to 2nd row and Rob Kurton started at 8, replacing Matt Evans in the backrow. In the backs Ben Sparke was back at fly-half after James McLaughlin ruptured his achilles tendon last week. It was Conner Bradshaw’s turn to start on the wing with Danny Lewis unfortunate to miss out after some recent solid performances.

It was a glorious sunny afternoon on the peninsular with an offshore easterly wind blowing down the pitch. Hoylake won the toss and elected to play with the wind in the first half. Winnington Park, were in a confident mood after completing the double over LSH last week, a confidence which was quickly knocked out of them after a ferocious start from the homeside. Before Winnington had any real possession, Hoylake were 14-0 up and were in total control of the game.

Just 5 minutes into the game Park's attempted clearance out of defence was charged down and after several phases skipper, Matt O'Neill powered over, Joe Lavin converted. Just two minutes later Liam Rushworth pounced on a dropped ball by Park and broke away fending off a couple of defenders, the support play just not quite quick enough to make it count. Hoylake were still on the front foot despite an easily missed penalty in front of the sticks. Winnington Park were doing well to contain the Hoylake pack but eventually the relentless pressure told. From a line out Hoylake drove for the line like they have many times this season. Falling short just of the line, the ball was recycled and Guy Byatt bust through 2 would be tackles to dot the ball down behind the whitewash, again Joe Lavin converted. Hoylake's dominance in the set piece and Tom Corkhill's dominance in the line out, no matter who threw the ball in, ensured Hoylake dominated possession and territory.

However, such dominance could not last and the Winnington Park started to claw themselves back into the game. Very uncharacteristically Hoylake were driven off their own ball at a scrum on their 5 metre line. Some last gasp defending stopped Park just short but it was a warning sign that the tide was turning and the Hoylake pack needed to reinstate their dominance. They did just that, The pack mauled the ball expertly from a lineout for well over 20 metres, Tom Selby then attempted a clearance, but missed touch and the Park full back gladly gathered the ball and returned with interest. 5 minutes before half-time the play of the match ensued. Another Hoylake attack was thwarted when Park's centre intercepted a ball well and stormed down the pitch in what looked like a certain score. However, Joe Lavin had other ideas as he raced after the centre pushing him towards the touchline. Within a flash Joe, had made the covering tackle, was up on his feet and won the ball as the attacking player held on And before any support could get near him. A minute later and Jamie Russell put in another great tackle to prevent what looked like a certain Park score. Park continued with probing the Hoylake defence to its limit and as half-time approached, the referee sin-binned fly-half Ben Sparke for an infringement at the breakdown. Park kicked the penalty to bring the half to a close with Hoylake 14 – 3 ahead.

Hoylake kicked off the second-half and Winnington Park continued where they left off, starving Hoylake of any real possession. Hoylake kept Parks attack at bay for 10 minutes when from a line out they spun the ball through their three quarters to score a converted try out wide. This gave park to push on and 10 minutes later saw Park take the lead. A poor kick out of defence was gathered by Park and they scored by the posts, incredibly the conversion was missed but Park now had the lead 14 - 15. As the game went into the last quarter Hoylake found themselves on the wrong side of the referee's whistle and conceded penalty after penalty. The first half’s pace was clearly starting to tell as Hoylake’s ball carriers became increasingly isolated and the fitter Park team increasingly won turnover ball as Hoylake support runners were nowhere to be seen. Winnington then went onto score their 3rd of the day, despite a blatant “crossing” by Park's fly half, the referee let play continue and Park scored a converted try.

With only minutes left and Hoylake desperate to get something out of the game, Park conceded a penalty and a sin binning for the prop. The kick to touch was successful as was the ensuing line didn't falter under pressure. As the ball was taken in-field, Park conceded another penalty. Against Hoylake’s nature and the score standing at 14-22, the bonus point was more important than going on to try and win the game. Skipper Matt O'Neill made the correct call and up stepped Joe Lavin to attempt a tricky kick which he converted comfortably and brought Hoylake within 7 points and a losing bonus point. The remainder of the game petered out and the full time whistle blew. Park had recorded their 3rd win against Hoylake this season with a 17-22 win.

A good game overall but another one Hoylake let slip from their grasp after such an impressive start. The bench boys, who sponsored today’s match chose Joe Lavin as their MOM, for causing problems to Park all day and that try saving tackle early in the first half. Other mentions on the day go to centre pairing of Jamie Russell and Liam Rushworth who played well in defence and attack. Jake woods also had a strong game breaking the line several times in loose play.

The bonus point means Hoylake are now on the same points total as Manchester Medics, but Medics have won a game more and so sit a place above Hoylake in the league. Hoylake now entertain Douglas next week requiring 1 point to stay up. Despite some supporter’s murmurings of this being is a ‘dead cert’, Hoylake have a poor history against IOM teams so expect a tough game.

The stage is set for a fantastic day next week with the 1st XV playing Douglas at 1:30. This is followed by the 2nds entertaining Oldershaw. This in turn is followed by the annual awards Hotpot. Spread the word, come and support your club and let’s ensure that ‘Super Saturday’ is a winning one for the club and one not to forget.