Port Sunlight 26 Ellesmere Port 12
THE Oilers’ eight-match winning streak was halted by their promotion rivals Port Sunlight on Saturday.
The South Lancs/Cheshire Three fixture was switched from Ellesmere Port to Port Sunlight’s ground because heavy rain had left the pitch at Whitby Sports and Social Club unplayable.
As well as surrendering home advantage, the Oilers were also missing several regulars and had three late cry-offs on the morning of the game.
The visitors took 15 minutes to settle but then started to take control. The opening try was scored by stand-in winger Ian Hawkins following some good work by the forwards and prop James Callaghan.
Within a few minutes, the Oilers extended their lead with a try from young back-rower Sam Olyott.Fly-half Chris Carbutt added the conversion to give Port a solid 12-0 lead, which is how it stayed until the half time whistle.
Either side of the break, the game became a little scrappy and tempers flared, with two Sunlight players being sin-binned along with Ellesmere Port centre Lee Craddock.
The tide then began to turn in the hosts’ favour.
In the second period, they used the advantageous slope in the corner of the pitch.
With Port making defensive errors and being camped inside their 22 for long periods, it was inevitable that Sunlight’s pressure would turn into points.
They forged into the lead with three unanswered tries, all converted, to make it 21-12.
Late in the half Port rallied and built pressure on the Sunlight try-line, but it was to no avail.
The final nail in the Oilers’ coffin came when Sunlight cleared from inside their own half and an attempted kick was charged down, resulting in another try.
The Oilers’ next match is at Prenton on Saturday week (December 8). Kick-off is 2.15pm.
