Port were sharp out of the traps and capitalised on Lymm’s sluggish start. The driving maul was set and inevitably a penalty try for the away side pulling down what would have been a certain try. The perfect fillip. 7-0. A yellow card was forthcoming after the infringement.
A lost line-out and Lymm worked the ball wide and a good offload produced a try. 7-7 (try conv). A frustrating concession for the home side after taking the early lead.
Port’s defensive line was spot on all match and didn’t allow Lymm an easy out. This combined with ferocious tackling, really blunted a lot of the away sides running game.
Then the try of the match… Port worked the ball out wide and from the half way line Rory Atwil engaged the after burners - scorching past 3 Lymm backs, to offload for Alex Pantechis to score. It was like watching Les Bleus at their brilliant best. 12-7 (conv. missed).
Port were really up for this test and ahead in the possession/territory count. Although as top of the table sides do, one sniff and they pounced. Lymm collected from the line-out and an easy score under the posts, totally against the run of play. 12-14 (try conv).
As if to rub salt into the wounds, on the 25th minute, Lymm nicked another try. 12-21 (try conv). Not to overstate it, this could have been the moment for heads down and frustration, but Port would have none of it and once again showed their excellent character in spite of adversity.
Port worked the phases really well and Lymm were firmly on the back foot. After many pick-and-go’s from the ruck, the ball was knocked on out wide when the try line was gaping. A glorious chance spurned.

The home dominance continued into the second half and Port’s go-to struck again. Callum Hibbs the recipient of the driving maul juggernaut. At some stage the superlatives will run out to describe this man-made marvel. 17-21 (conv. missed).
Port were well and truly back in the game and for the first sustained period, Lymm were in Port’s 22. The pressure finally told when a quick tap-and-go, and for once some questionable tackling, resulted in a score for the away side. For all the hard yards Port had put in a little lapse had cost so dear. 17-26 (conv. missed).
Port got their more than deserved reward of 2 bonus points, with the last play of the game. Another beautiful driving maul and the simplest of scores for Tom Gardner. Port had given the league leaders a real scare. Final Score Port 24 Lymm 26.
For once it’s not easy to pick out any notable performers, such was the commendable team effort. To push Lymm that close is real testament to all the players and coaching staff this season that Port have developed into a team that can have serious league winning aspirations next season.
To caveat this, it spoke volumes that there was a collective disappointment from the players that they hadn’t got the win in a match of such fine margins.

This Saturday is another opportunity to pit ourselves against second in the league Blackburn. Bring it on!