Capenhurst 7 Ellesmere Port 63
ELLESMERE Port’s promotion destiny remains in their own hands after they blitzed their neighbours to make it 15 South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three wins on the run.
The Oilers will climb above Prenton and into second spot by winning their final game of the season at home to Buxton on Saturday week (3pm).
Victory over the mid-table Derbyshire outfit could also yet bring them the title depending on how table-topping Crewe & Nantwich fare in their last match at home to Capenhurst on the same day.
On Saturday Cape were no match for a Port side that overcame a shaky start to run out emphatic winners.
Fullback Anthony Jones broke the deadlock following an enthralling backs move before pacy centre Pete Doyle got in on the act with a brace of tries which were converted by fly-half Chris Carbutt.
Leading 21-0 at the break, Port upped their game after the restart with their defensive line becoming even more ferocious and their attack even more ruthless.
Carbutt added his fourth conversion after Jones touched down for the second time before the hosts reduced the deficit with a converted try of their own midway through the second half.
But with outstanding veteran back-row Phil Gow coming on for injured prop Paul Edwards and Elliot Edwards and Dave Mira taking the places of centre Paul Millington and wing Andy Tranter, Port hit back in style.
James Callaghan, Jim Shinton and Elliot Edwards all crossed the line after barnstorming runs, with Edwards’ effort the pick as the replacement broke several tackles before producing an outrageous dummy that put him away to score.
Carbutt converted all three tries to extend Port’s advantage to 42 points with five minutes to play.
Jones then combined superbly with Doyle to compete his hat-trick before Steve Jefferies brought an end to the scoring with a try that the on-fire Carbutt converted to finish the contest with nine successful attempts from nine.
Shinton was named the man-of-the-match, but the honour could have gone to any number of his team-mates such was brilliant Port’s dominance.
