Crewe & Nantwich 23 Ellesmere Port 5
ELLESMERE Port are still searching for their first win of the South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two season after they were beaten by their old foes on Saturday.
Already without key duo Peter Doyle and James Callaghan, the Port’s hopes of breaking their duck at the second time of asking were dealt a further setback when fullback Anthony Jones took a bad blow to the head and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.
The visitors, who lost their opening game of the campaign two weeks earlier to Douglas, fell behind early on and then struggled against an impressive Crewe side with whom they were promoted last season.
But Steve Dorrington’s team did not do themselves any favours. Fly-half Chris Carbutt, winger Andy Tranter and second-row Adam Prach were all sent to the sin-bin and the hosts made the most of their numerical advantage to record a comfortable victory.
Paul Edwards reduced the deficit when he crashed over from close range after good work from the forwards.
Scrum-half Dan Burns impressed around the breakdowns and was named man of the match for the Port, who welcome Oldershaw to the Whitby Sports & Social Club on Saturday (3pm).
Head coach Dorrington said: “We have to improve our overall fitness and eliminate the penalties we give away, which have cost us dearly in all our games this season.”
Jones had scans on his head and neck and spent the night in hospital. But no serious damage has been done and he expects to return to action sometime next month.
Ellesmere Port 2nds recorded a well-deserved 19-10 victory at Anselmians 3rds in the Merseyside Merit League on Saturday.
Centre Lee Craddock scored the pick of the Port tries, collecting his own deft chip over the home defence before diving over the line.
Ellesmere Port Under 15s were beaten 82-0 by a strong Wrexham U15s side.
