OXTON Parkonians 1st XV were on the losing side again last weekend, this time at the hands of Ellesmere Port.

Port began the day as unbeaten league leaders and carried on their early season form by beating the visitors on an afternoon where conditions were more comparable with mid-winter than the first week of October.

The home side were very quick out of the blocks and a trio of quick tries inside the first quarter saw Port return 19 points in as many minutes.

Parkonians eventually managed to get some possession and did push the hosts on several occasions, however the home defensive line stood firm as the score remained 19-0 at the half.

The second period began with immediate pressure from Parkonians and after a series of penalties on the Port five-metre line, Rob Marnick was able to crash over from close range.

There should have been another try for Parkonians soon after too but Andy Smith, who managed to sneak through the Port defence put a little too much on a kick which ended just beyond the hosts' dead ball line.

Port went on to add another try to their total on the hour mark which turned into the last scoring play of the game.

The final quarter saw both teams scrapping for more points, however the defensive effort of both sides cancelled each other out.

Ellesmere Port 24, Oxton Parkonians 7.

There is no game next weekend, however the week after sees the visit of Ramsey from The Isle of Mann. Kick off TBC.