REPORT By MIKE DREW

After maintaining a 100% start last week at Kendal, Port took on Kirby Lonsdale who are experiencing a difficult start following last seasons trauma finishing bottom of the league but maintaining their status following reorganisation of the RFU leagues.

It therefore came as a surprise when Port appeared to still be in the changing room for Kirby opened the scoring with an unconverted try with Kirby taking advantage of slack defence. However after 8 mins Port levelled the score with a lineout and driving maul for Keiran Hibbs to score but no conversion. Port superiority now developing with a good run from Ewan Holt deep into opposition territory subsequent penalty, driving maul and penalty try score 12-5 and further problem for Kirby with the usual yellow card.

Indiscipline an issue for Kirby but the game was levelled up with a yellow to Port . Never the less Kirby had no answer to a rapid strong run from Rory Atwill from deep to score an unconverted try score 17-5. Again slack defence and Kirby added to their score with conversion 17-12. Almost immediately another run from deep and Calum Owen scores in the corner and within seconds Calum scores again with a similar great line score 27-12. The cross breeze was causing problems for the kicker but Rory Atwill scores again with a good break and an easy conversion under the posts we move on to 34-12.

Half Time and Port make changes with Tom Mantel comes on for his first appearance of the season. Two early tries further enhances Port’s score to 46-12 with a penalty try and Rory Atwill completing a hat trick . Another great break from Calum Owen and he too completes his hat trick ,with Holt conversion 53-12. Atwill left the field with hopefully not a serious ham string injury and replaced by debutant Alex Roebuck a product from last seasons under 18s anxious to demonstrate his eye catching pace.

A sudden period of pressure from Kirby giving their supporters something to cheer about and unconverted try 53-17. Kirby now flagging and the superior strength and pace soon evident.Matt Lawrawitsch adding to the score with a powerfull drive with Kirby on the back foot. Next Talatoka scoring after great run from Roebuck , Holt converting 60-17. Next it was Holt’s turn to score from a well worked move, following a great 50/22 kick from Ben Deering, unfortunately Ewan hitting the upright with his conversion. Rapidly the score had moved on to 72-17 and with the last play Jack Martin put in great pace down the touch line to score and Ewan Holt converting from out wide final score 79-17. 13 tries to 3 but generally an untidy game probably due to the gulf in ability between the two teams.

A massive task lies ahead when Port travel to Lymm next week .Both teams have a 100% record with Port topping the league with a greater points difference. They go as underdogs , for the first time on Lymm’s artificial surface and their strong performances against tougher opposition. It all makes for challenging work in training this week.