ELLESMERE Port lost 24-12 at home to title rivals Crewe and Nantwich on Saturday in the group stage of the Cheshire Plate.

Having had their three-match South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three winning run ended by Prenton the week before, Port were hoping to bounce back against the side they lost to earlier in the season.

But despite tries from James Callaghan and Rob Harthill and an excellent individual performance from scrum-half Danny Burns, they were unable to do that.

There was better news for Ellesmere Port Under 12s as they won a competition in Manchester on Sunday.