Oswestry 29, Winnington Park 7
THOUGH their visitors battled impressively to the end, Oswestry’s Eagles claimed a comprehensive win over Winnington Park, continuing their steep learning curve.
In perfect conditions, Oswestry flew out of the blocks with both wingers involved early, dominating the opposition for the first 15 minutes. Winning the first lineout, Oswestry’s forwards drove up to the visiting line and from the second phase Dan Samuels scored, Gareth Jones kicking the conversion as Captain Andy Howell will now miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
The pressure continued to be applied to the visitors as they gave away two kickable penalties back to back, but Jones, who has been kicking very well recently, missed both.
The visitors finally moved into the home half only to lose possession five yards out. Oswestry were penalised, but this time Winnington Park missed the kick.
Park continued to take the game to the home side but gave away too many penalties and Oswestry scored again on 35 minutes when they took a scrum option and fed the ball to Nick Carlton who passed inside for winger Rob Massam to score.
Indiscipline continued to plague the visitors, whose forward was sin-binned for a ruck offence. Oswestry took advantage and set up a slick handling movement down the middle which led to Graham Fox finishing the half with a try.
Oswestry started the second half on the front foot, setting up a rolling maul which allowed Rich Owen to score and Jones convert. Winnington Park put huge pressure on the home defence in the later stages, leading to an inevitable try and conversion.
Dan Samuels and winger Gareth Morris both made penetrating runs to the visiting line, before the forwards set up a second try for Samuels.
Three Oswestry players were sin-binned for technical fouls towards the end of the game.
l Next league matches: April 10, Oswestry 1st XV home to Widnes; Oswestry 2nds away to Liverpool St Helens Thirds; and Oswestry Third XV home to Crewe and Nantwich Fourths. All kick off 3pm.