Revisiting Southport, 1927 style – and weather sounds familiar

THE big game of the weekend for Southport is on Sunday when Southport Colts host Percy Park from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the Northern final of the National Colts Plate.

This is a prestigious game in its own right, featuring two clubs both formed in 1872 – and for good measure it is 90 years to the day that Southport First XV played its first match at the newly laid Waterloo Road pitch as the club gradually moved lock, stock and barrel from Victoria Park which became home to the Flower Show.

This is how it was reported at the time in the Visiter in 1927:

‘A RAIN SPOILED GAME’ ON Saturday Southport were at home to Preston Grasshoppers at Hillside. This was the first occasion on which the First XV have used this ground since it was acquired by the club some little time ago.

A worse, or better day – according to the point of view – could not have been selected for the experiment, for it is questionable whether there has been a heavier downpour this season than that on Saturday, when the game was played in a deluge. One important fact at any rate, was revealed, namely, that the ground conditions at Hillside are superior to those at Victoria Park, where the fixture between the B teams had to be cancelled owing to the ground being under water. Fortunately, however, it is not always raining at Southport, and as there are other things to be considered if the club is to retain the interest and support of the local public, the committee would be well advised to weigh all the pros and cons before deciding on Hillside for future home matches if they had any thought of doing so.

The absence of W.B. Carter rendered a rearrangement necessary in the Southport XV.

T. Mason went to scrum half and the latter’s place at right centre three-quarters was filled by R.W. Jackson. The teams were – Southport.- H. Cockhill (capt), C.O. Brigg, R.W. Jackson, I. Calder, F.A.R. James, T. Mason, H.R. Noon, G.C. Paton, H. Kouyoumdjian, E. J. Downs, C.H. Scott, E.R. Berry, W.S. Ellis, E.R. Smith, J. Pilling.

Preston Grasshoppers – J.W. Wilson, R.H. Wiseman, W.D. Bruce, P.E. Jeffrey, L. Barton, R. Burgess, D.J. Davies, R.P. Rigg, C. Hartley, J.L. Holland, H. Newton, E. Walmsley, J.D. Green, G.C. Wilson, H.J.H. Wiseman.

During the earlier stages of the game, owing to the late arrival of Jackson, Southport had one man short. During this period the visitors pressed somewhat vigorously, but the home team put up a stubborn defence and the ‘Hoppers were unable to gain any advantage.

The subsequent play was of a very haphazard character, kick and rush tactics being largely adopted by both sides. A fine run by Noon and Calder ended in the former crossing the line for Southport. He also successfully took the kick. A scrum in the home 25 followed, but Mason was quick on the ball and had no difficulty in clearing.

A further attack by the ‘Hoppers was repulsed, and for a while play was confined to mid-field. Eventually Southport broke away and from a cross-kick by Calder, James got possession and scored well out for Southport. At half-time the latter were leading by eight points to nil.

In the second half the contest was continued with much keenness, but both sides were considerably handicapped by the weather and wretched state of the ground and a good deal of footwork was necessary.

Pilling obtained another try, which was not converted, for Southport. Rigg, Burgess, and Wiseman were prominent for the visitors, who strove hard to the end, but their efforts proved unavailing.

Result: Southport 11pts Preston Grasshoppers nil