Ellesmere Port head coach Steve Dorrington has put the club’s promotion celebrations on hold – to focus on winning the title.

Dorrington’s side missed out on going up in an agonising end to last season but the Oilers, who have not lost since November, brushed off that disappointment in emphatic fashion this term.

Port secured promotion by beating Liverpool University 35-13 on Saturday and will be crowned champions with a win at home to Oldershaw on Saturday (3pm).

Dorrington said: “I’m extremely proud of promotion and the fact the team have gone so long since our last defeat in November.

“We set ourselves a target back then and we have just achieved it, winning every game with a bonus point in each one.

“I liked the players’ attitudes after the game on Saturday. On a day when they could have celebrated, they wanted to save it until the last game of the season. The squad said as a collective ‘it’s great we have gained promotion but we have only done half the job’.

“They are all focussed on the job in hand and will be working hard in the week to secure a win against Oldershaw. Win this game and they will be champions.

“We’re urging people to come down and join in the fun. Win, lose or draw it will be a great day for rugby in Ellesmere Port.”

Port had to come from behind at Liverpool, trailing 7-0 to a 65 metre interception score in the seventh minute. Dorrington’s side responded well with hooker Joe White crossing in the corner and captain Jim Shinton touching down to put them in front.

Robert Finlay and Sam Bethel added further tries, securing a bonus point and making the half-time score 20-10.

Port bossed the second period with a Chris Carbutt penalty nudging them further in front before Shinton grabbed his second of the game and then completed his hat-trick, taking him to 19 tries for the season.

Liverpool posted the final points of the game with a try following a dubious pass but the game finished 35-13 in favour of the Oilers.

Six squad members have been selected to represent the Cheshire President’s XV in a representative game on April 25 at Oldershaw.

Lee Rennox, James Callaghan, Jim Shinton, Joe White, Joel Gibbs and Nathan Sandland-Jones will feature with Steve Dorrington coaching the team.