Golden oldies!

May 1 2003 Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

ELLESMERE Port defied the odds to win the prestigious Chester RUFC Veterans' competition for the second time in three years on Sunday.

Port's golden oldies overcame several sides who are well above them in the rugby pyramid to clinch victory at Hare Lane.

The trophy was won with a 'golden try' by Steve Beverley to secure a 5-0 victory over West Park of St Helens after a tense final stalemate that went into extra time.

Player Neil Percival said: 'There was nothing to choose between the teams and the scores were still blank at the final whistle.

'The rules of the competition stated that the first try would win the game and we kept on going to get that all-important score. Ian Johnson robbed a West Park player of possession and the ball went through the backs before Kev Richardson fed Steve to touch down.

'It was a really sweet victory because having won the title in 2001, we were not able to defend our crown last year because we were playing in the Cheshire Plate final against Runcorn on the same day.

'We played badly in that match and were well-beaten, which ended what had been our most successful season on a bit of a sour note. But this makes up for all our disappointment of 12 months ago.' Port had to reach the final the hard way having being drawn in the most difficult group in the tournament against three clubs who are much higher up in the league structure than them.

They edged out Macclesfield 5-3 in their opening pool game before romping to a 12-0 win over Lymm.

Top spot in the group was then secured with a tremendous 12-7 success over illustrious Wirral neighbours Birkenhead Park.

Port's route to the final was completed with a thrilling 8-7 comeback victory against Liverpool Collegiate with Player-of-the-Tournament Dave Morris storming over the line for a last-gasp winner.

The club embark on their annual end-of-season tour this weekend as they travel to Warsaw in Poland.