Local rugby round-up with Andrew Stratton

SATURDAY'S first-ever South Lancashire/Cheshire One League derby between Wirral and Hoylake went the way of the Clatterbridge outfit 16-7.

There was never much between the sides, but Wirral in the end just deserved the spoils.

Hoylake scored first with a James Morris try converted by Richard Young, but Wirral hit back for touch downs via Shaun Kay and Alistair Baker, with the former landing a brace of penalties.

Anselmians, in Division Two, maintained their 100 per cent record with a sound but hard earned 24-14 win against Manchester Wanderers in a game switched to Malone Field. Ian Jessermino, Mark Petterson and Anthony Evans were the players to breach the visiting defence and Murray King managed the three conversions and a penalty.

Oldershaw finished 20-10 to the good against Ellesmere Port. Jonathan Roberts gained two of their four tries with the others credited to Paul Morton and Mike Chapman. Port secured a penalty try plus the conversion and a penalty.

Dave Lloyd grabbed a brace of touch downs for Wallasey in a 26-10 victory over Ashton-on-Mersey. Paul Haines and Dave Maddocks also crossed and Dave Hall goaled three times.

Veteran Brian Elkerton proved a great substitute for Prenton, going on in the second-half to gain two tries and a penalty to earn a Division Three 13-13 draw against Newton-le-Willows.

Terry Williams gained a try hat-trick for Parkonians in a Division Four 25-14 win against Merseyside Police. Paul Topping also crossed and added a conversion and a penalty.

Port Sunlight journeyed to Linley and Kidsgove and were on the wrong end of a 17-10 score line.

There is another full round of league action on Saturday.

Fixtures in the various divisions of the South Lancashire/Cheshire League include Wirral at Northwich, Hoylake v Leigh, an Anselmians v Oldershaw derby, Wallasey at Crewe and Nantwich, Prenton at Douglas, Isle of Man, Parkonians at West Park Warriors and Port Sunlight v Mossley Hill.