Ellesmere Port signed off for 2013 with a 19-14 comeback win at Oldershaw on Saturday.

The victory means the Oilers head into the new year with a firm grip on second spot in South Lancs/Cheshire Three.

Due to the strong winds blowing along the length of the pitch, it proved to be a game of two halves, Steve Dorrington’s men overturning a 14-0 half-time deficit.

Port chose to play with the wind in their faces for the first period.

They came under pressure for the first 10 minutes, with Oldershaw utilising the conditions as the visitors struggled to kick or run clear.

The hosts opened the scoring early in the first half and converted their try to take a 7-0 lead.

Port defended resolutely for another 20 minutes and almost broke away to score, but were frustrated by Oldershaw getting a penalty which allowed them to kick clear.

They then in turn scored their second try of the match, again adding the extras, to lead 14-0 at the break.

Port were confident that the wind would prove a bigger advantage in the second period, but they failed to capitalise until 25 minutes had elapsed.

Centre Rich McDonagh was the man who crossed the line, although fly-half Joe White missed the conversion.

Shortly after, prop James Callaghan added a second try for Port and White added the extras, leaving the Oilers two points adrift at 14-12 with about seven minutes remaining.

Almost straight form the restart, Port put the ball back in Oldershaw’s 22 and secured possession.

The ball eventually found its way to the wing and Joe Joinson raced in wide on the left to score.

White added the extras from the most difficult angle of the day, putting Port in the lead for the first time.

With the elements and the clock in their favour, Port probably thought it was game over. But Oldershaw found an extra 10% effort from somewhere and spent the last five minutes camped in the Oilers’ half, almost breaching the defence several times.

The away side held on, though, and managed to record another win.

The Oilers return to action with a home clash against Helsby on January 11.