Ellesmere Port 17 Moore 55

ELLESMERE Port remain rooted to the foot of South Lancs/ Cheshire Division Two after failing to end their losing run on Saturday.

The Oilers were seemingly set to return to winning ways when they opened up a 17-12 lead late in the first half.

But that was as good as it got as Moore fought back to condemn Steve Dorrington’s struggling side to a ninth straight league defeat.

Port started brightly enough.

They opened the scoring after 20 minutes through a well-worked forward’s try from James Shinton.

Fly-half Paul Millington missed the resulting conversion and the rest of the half became an exchange of scores.

Moore went ahead with a converted try only for the Oilers to regain the initiative when second-row Rob Hartill crossed the whitewash.

The visitors responded with an unconverted try of their own before the hosts scored what was the try of the match.

Anthony Jones ripped through the Moore defence to touch down under the posts and give Millington the simplest of conversions.

But it was the mid-table Warrington outfit who led at the interval after scoring two converted tries and a penalty.

Port turned round hoping to make the most of the strong breeze that was now blowing at their backs.

But once the wind died, so did their chances of getting back into the game.

Moore kept the ball tight and began to dominate the forward battles and in the loose.

Helped by some contentious refereeing decisions, they ran out emphatic and deserved winners although the final scoreline was harsh on an Oilers side who never gave up the fight.

Port face a crucial basement battle away to second-from-bottom Trentham on Saturday (3pm).

It is a match they must win if they are to stand any chance of surviving the drop.

Ellesmere Port maintained their title challenge by winning an exciting game at home to Anselmians 3rds.

Ellesmere Port Under 10s ran out winners at home to Sandbach U10s by 12 tries to six.

Ellesmere Port Under 15s lost 63-0 to a well-drilled Crewe U15s side.