Ellesmere Port 21 Newton-le-Willows 14
DAVE Layder has praised his Ellesmere Port side after they registered their second victory of the season – and he has targeted more to come.
The young team defeated visitors Newton-le-Willows on Saturday and, although they face table-topping Oldershaw in their next match this Saturday, head coach Layder can see a promising future after a bleak start to the campaign.
Port were in control against Newton from the off. Two early penalties from Chris Cabot gave them a 6-0 advantage and a well worked try was finished off when Peter Doyle skirted round the full back to ground, Cabot converting.
At 13-0 Port were in control but Newton hit back, converting their own try to make it 13-7.
But on the stroke of half-time another kicked penalty, the result of constant forward pressure from Port, extended the hosts’ lead a little.
After the interval, Port continued to make the running, Mark Titherington crossing the whitewash to make it 21-7 with half an hour remaining.
With little experience of victory at this level, Port began to get nervous and let Newton back into the game.
Ten minutes from time another converted try made the scoreline look closer than it ought to, but Layder was still proud of his team.
He said: “We are finding a consistency and a unity from having the same players available each week.
“At the beginning of the season we were very worried, but the young players are adapting and earning their places.
“We have a very tough game on Saturday against Oldershaw but after that we have played all the top teams and have a it of a run against the teams around us.
“With this squad, they are winnable games.”
