Sweet for 16s as Fylde the foes in Lancs final
THE Easter weekend saw a quiet Saturday at Waterloo Road with no senior rugby, leaving the coast clear for the under16s to bask in the limelight on Sunday when Manchester were the visitors in the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup.
A hard fought 26-14 victory secured a coveted place in the final against Fylde at Fylde in two weeks time.
Easter egg hunting not withstanding, credit to the players, coaches and parents/supporters of both clubs who turned up in droves to cheer on the teams on a foul day in a great spirit on and off the pitch.
It was a tough game against a team rated as underdogs but who threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Southport.
As such the pressure was clearly on the home side but the lads responded marvellously to take an early 7-0 lead through a converted try.
But Manchester responded strongly to score two of their own very nearly going 21-7 just before half time.
But it was Southport who got the crucial score before the whistle to change ends only 12-14 down.
Sometimes you have to win ugly and that’s exactly what the lads, digging very deep in the process, did as at the Vale in the quarter final a few weeks ago.
Two further converted tries saw Southport home with Man of the Match Connor Rylands securing the Yard of Eggs award and a trip to the Fylde coast to play in the final of the highest ranked competition at this level in the County.
This is the second year in succession this age group has achieved this, the only junior team so far to do so.
Under16s manager Mark Pennifold commented after the game: “Well done to the lads. Irrespective of how things turn out for the squad to reach a Lancashire Plate/Cup Final in every year of their time as a Junior Section side is a testament to their consistency and is a magnificent achievement.
Conor Rylands being presented with his Southport RUFC u16s Man of the Match Award – a Yard of Eggs, from Graham Ellis. Tom Guest can be seen in the background, hanging onto every word of Graham’s presentation speech “We should all be very proud of them “It’s clear from the last couple of performances that some of the lads are flagging and who can blame them given the length of the season and the quality of the rugby they have played for their Club, Schools & County in the last couple of seasons - in one sense, we are a bit of a victim of our own success!
“But the lads now have an opportunity to banish the memory of losing in last year’s Final”.
The build-up will include training this Wednesday and next, with a friendly game in between v Ennis (Eire) at 11.30am this Saturday.
This is a great prelude to the Second XV v Eccles 2 game at 3pm.
The u16s game will feature all the lads who have missed out on selection for the starting 15 in recent weeks and all will play the whole match and the squad will also include a few past players who have been unable to play because of school commitments to maximise the number of players who can be rested ahead of the Cup Final - Massimo Poli, Kieran Bell & Max Vernon have all agreed to play; a few others are in the process of being asked, watch this space.
The Cup Final is the following Sunday against Fylde at Fylde kick-off 2.30pm.
All 25 members of the squad (irrespective of injuries or selection) will travel, with the coaching team, in their own coach that will leave Waterloo Road at 12pm. All the lads have a part to play, regardless of whether or not they are playing, and it’s a important opportunity for coaches to keep the lads calm.
As car parking is limited at Fylde, another coach will also be laid on for supporters, families etc. (£10 per adult, £5 children).
Please check the club website for details. Both coaches will collect/drop off at The Fox Cub public house in Much Hoole (12.30pm pick-up on the way there).
Elsewhere, Southport Ladies also played on Sunday, travelling to Garstang to win their top of the table clash 22-5. However the referee recorded it as 20-5!
Whatever the score, coach Mike Dale was well satisfied. He said: “Fantastic show of true grit and determination won what was a very physical encounter.”
Try scorers were Lauren McCluskey, Gemma Hurst, Jess Dale, drop goal and conversions from Katie Hussey.
This Sunday the Ladies play Didsbury Toc H away in what will be another tough game.
On Saturday the senior Men’s season draws to a close with all three teams looking to put a disappointing last few weeks, results wise, behind them.
The Firsts complete their season over the water at Anselmians who still have the spectre of relegation hanging over them so no easy pickings here.
But the seconds will hope victory at home to Eccles seconds can secure a tremendous third or fourth place in the league especially with the team depleted on so many occasions throughout.
Even more so the Thirds who have suffered the consequences and are relegated from their league and are left with only local pride to play for at Ormskirk seconds.
As well as the Ladies on Sunday the u15s are in action in the Lancashire Vase Final against Littleborough at Aldwinians, East Manchester, kick-off 1.15pm. This is another great achievement by a Junior age group team, Southport RFC is proud of them all.