Win is banked but
BY GRAHAM WHYTE
RECENT contests between the two sides have been low scoring tight affairs. Richard Field returned to take the number 8 position and ex skipper Col Toohey stood up manfully to take a spot in the front row.
He’s still waiting for the replacement prop, who is on his way!
The game started well for Southport.
Conducted by Andy Boland at 9, strong forward play followed with some line breaking runs from the backs, led by Stephen Hunter and new centre Callum Lea.
The latter crashed over early for Southport’s first try of the day, this was duly converted by Jason Fitzpatrick.
Josh Spencer continued his great form from last week with some great runs, but unfortunately had to finish the game early with a pulled hamstring.
Dave Helmsley replaced him. Matty Croughan carried on where he left off last week with some strong runs through the middle of the Widnes forwards.
Unfortunately for Southport, a lack of discipline meant, for 20 minutes of the first half, the game ground to a halt.
Widnes benefited from this and kicked two penalties to bring the score to 7-6.
After Mike Sheard returned from the sin bin Southport got back on track. Some quick hands from the backs following a turnover in a scrum meant the ball ended up in Luke Monaghans hands and he picked his way through Widnes’s backs to score in the corner. Again converted by Fitzpatrick, 14-6.
The second half was much better, Southport’s discipline improved and so did their rugby.
Callum Lea scored again, after some great work up front by the forwards, running powerfully through Widnes tacklers to make the score 19-6.
Another converted penalty by Widnes added three more points to their tally 19-9.
A great line break by Richard Field had him odds on to score only for him to mishandle and lose the ball five metres out. Southport weren’t finished however.
Shortly after Luke Monaghan scored his second try of the day in the corner after more good work from the backs to make it 24-9.
As time was running out right wing Mark Poole impressed with a great try from 50 metres, scored in the corner, evading desperate Widnes defenders to make the score 29-9. A good result and performance only slightly let down by the ill-discipline in the first half. A quick mention too for the Gents day dinner afterwards, what a great night was had by all. Massive thank you to the organisers at the club. Looking forward to next year’s. BY ANDY LAWTON
On a lovely autumn morning the U16s entertained Fleetwood in a friendly game at Waterloo Road.
Southport loaned a player to their opponents to allow a fifteen-a-side game to take place and started the game strongly.
In what was to turn out to be a pack dominated game, Southport regularly got over the gain line with solid carries from Cookie, Dan M and Ollie R running especially hard.
Their defence was also working well with big hits from Luke V, Roman and Arron L.
With the half drawing to a close, Southport finally got over the line with Aodhan B scoring for the second consecutive game with a strong burst through the line. Ben H with the conversion, Southport with a 7-0 half