A GOOD home win for Ellesmere Port was almost marred by defensive lapses.
Helsby were bright early on and led through a penalty and an easy try after 15 minutes.
By half-time Port had pulled back a penalty of their own.
Following the restart, Adam Prack stole in to bag a try and Dave Tomlinson crossed the whitewash to make it 15-8.
Nate Quinn also scored a try but from the kick-off Port switched off and conceded a line-out, from which Helsby worked a converted try in the corner.
It finished 27-15.
On Saturday, Port host Congleton in the Cheshire Plate.