Port vs Dukinfield
Port travelled away to Dukinfield in the quarter final of the Cheshire Bowl competition. Taking on  their league two rivals this would be a first test of this years league opposition. Dukinfield having finished fourth in last years competition.
With several key players out through work and holiday commitments Port were not at full strength but still travelled with a strong squad. 
Port started slowly and although having plenty of possession,  kept themselves under pressure through handling errors and conceding several penalties.
On 15 minutes Dukinfield broke ports defensive line with their centre threatening the try line, a last ditch tackle by port winger Rob Finlay saving the day, Port were defending resolutely but from a resulting scrum and a deliberate knock on by port the referee award a somewhat harsh penalty try. 
17 minutes gone and unlucky to be trailing by 7 points.
With 21 minutes gone from line out Dukinfield crash over the line to make it 12-0 the conversion being missed.
On 25 minutes Port full back Ant Jones went on a great run from a Dukinfield clearance kick, this put pressure on their line but once again a penalty allowed Dukinfield to relieve the pressure.
With 29 gone a good strong run from centre Adam Whatling Sets up good position inside the Dukinfield 22, from the series of mauls and good forward work captain Adam Prach crashed over to make it 12-5 the conversion was missed.
With 32 minutes gone Dukinfield kick a penalty to make it 15-5. 
Port set up great position with good backs rugby in the remaining minutes of the half, but fail to capitalise, half time whistle and it is Dukinfield 15 - Port 5.
Second half, port start well but Dukinfield run in a well worked try out wide to make 20-5 after 45 minutes. The conversion was missed.
On 49 mins broken play set up by Simon Randle's good tackling, centre Peter Doyle hacks through, outpaces the Dukinfield defensive players and touches down to make it 20-10. The conversion was added by Fly Half Elliot Edwards to make it 20-12.
The next ten minutes following a similar pattern with Port Penalties keeping Dukinfield in the game and helping them clear lines.
With 65 minutes gone Dukinfields pacey right winger makes a break, beats several tacklers and crosses the line beating the last man to touch down under the posts conversion was successful making it 27-12 to Dukinfield.
On 70 minutes a good kick through by Fly half Edwards into space allows Rob Finlay to run in behind the Dukinfield backs. Finlay touching down a perfectly good try in the corner only to see it disallowed by the referee who stated he was too far behind play to give it.
From the resulting passage of play port number eight James Callaghan touched down in the far right corner but port miss the conversion leaving it 27-17.
A couple of minutes later a similar kick through to the earlier opportunity led to Dukinfield touching down behind their own line.
From the resulting scrum and with three minutes left, port number eight Callaghan barges over to score his second of the game, the conversion was added making it 27-24. 
From the ensuing kick off Dukinfield regained possession and kept the game very tight, a series of rucks and mails, slowing the game down and seeing out the two minutes on the clock to eventually clear to touch and hear the final whistle.
Final score Dukinfield 27 - Port 24.
Port will reflect on the game and knowing that there are some promising signs and still room for great improvement in their performance. A disappointing defeat, port need to switch on from the first whistle and learn to give away fewer penalties in crucial positions. However on the whole a performance that will give the Port squad a great deal of encouragement for the rest of the season.
Next week Port begin their league campaign in South Lancashire and Cheshire division 2 with a home game against Douglas. Kick off is 3 pm.