A few tweaks to the XV with Dom Sheratte back at hooker, an outing for James Shaw and Alex Pantechis returning at scrum half. Also, Ben Dearing took over kicking duties from Ewan Holt who was absent.
In the opening ten minutes Port had plenty of possession but couldn’t take advantage of their clear ascendency.
Port’s front foot play was beginning to tell however, as penalties were coming like London buses. The latest penalty gave Port prime position in Kirby’s 22 with a line-out. Some controlled phases and then a lovely line from Sam Fisher and a well deserved try. 0-7 (try conv).
After some fierce tackling from Port, Isaac Deans was rather harshly yellow carded for a high tackle. Kirby took their chance to get on the scoreboard and kicked a simple penalty. 3-7.
The penalty count for the home side was mounting up and after a warning from the referee a yellow card was forthcoming for not rolling away. After a second scrum the pressure told, and Si Green duly obliged. 3-14 (try conv).
It seemed every time Kirby ventured into the Port half the away side managed to snuff out the danger with good tackling or isolating the man in possession. The half time whistle blew and potentially a lower scoreline than predicted meant there was still work to do in the second half.
Port were determined to add to their tally and Kirby’s defence was firmly under siege. Port had found their rhythm and after a rock solid scrum, Fisher went in at the corner for his second try. 3-21 (try conv).
A pleasing feature was the speed of recycled ball thus allowing more space for the backline to create scoring opportunities. Kirby’s penalty count was becoming an issue, even more than England under Eddie Jones’ reign - this time gifting Port another scrum. Sheratte had ball in hand and a sumptuous dummy before crossing the white paint. 3-28 (try conv).
Then a ‘Michalak’ moment to savour for Kirby, as a lovely clip over the top from their fly half gave a simple run in under the posts. The former French enigma would certainly have approved. 10-28 (try conv).
A pinpoint penalty kick to the corner and another chance for Port to add a little more gloss to the scoreline. However, the next few opportunities were spurned until some quality hands led to Tom Gardner popping up on the left wing for a cheeky score. 10-35 (try conv).
You know the script by now. A driving maul and a second try for Sheratte. They will write about this in rugby folklore one day for sure… “Port’s driving maul - a thing of beauty for the rugby purist.” 10-42 (try conv).
Kirby managed to grab a late consolation try with a good stretch from their no.13 which he seemed pretty elated with (try conv). Final score Kirby Lonsdale 17 Port 42
Some notable performances were Ben Dearing who boasted a spotless conversion rate and from Sam Fisher and Dom Sheratte for 2 well executed tries apiece.

Roll on this coming Saturday where we face Sandbach at home where Port’s pursuit for a top 4 finish continues!