Linley & Kidsgrove 10 Ellesmere Port 24

THE Oilers made hard work of their trip to one of the struggling sides in South Lancs/Cheshire Three.

The Port squad was depleted by two late withdrawals, then three players sharing the same car got lost on route to the ground and arrived only minutes before the kick-off.

The heavy pitch helped the hosts’ heavier pack but the Port managed to score two tries in the first half from fullback Anthony Jones and centre Lee Craddock.

Elliot Edwards added a conversion and the visitors led 12-0 at the half-time break.

The Oilers played into the wind during the second period.

They conceded two tries, cutting the score to 12-10, and Linley were on the up.

Realising they could be heading for a defeat if the hosts continued to press, the Port rallied and began to play better rugby.

They bagged two tries in the last 10 minutes, through Richard McDonagh and Rob Finlay.

Paul Millington added a conversion to make the final score 24-10, with the Port also securing a vital bonus point having scored four tries.

The victory keeps the fourth-placed Oilers, who have no first-team fixture this weekend, in touch with the sides at the top of the table.

Ellesmere Port 2nds lost 19-7 at Prenton.

They travel to New Brighton this Saturday.