Skipper Gallagher snatches victory for Southport in derby thrilller
AGLORIOUS summer day in Victoria Park saw Southport edge Birkdale 4-3 to claim local bragging rights in the Sefton derby. In a close encounter, Birkdale hoped to repeat last year’s derby success, but it wasn’t to be as in the final game, as Southport captain Eileen Gallagher beat David Key to secure the win.
Birkdale captain Keith Roberts selected Tony Thomas, Alan Farrell and Key, while Gallagher selected Carol and Brian Lewis alongside John Mawdsley.
In the morning doubles, Thomas and Farrell established an early lead but were gradually pulled back by the ‘Port pairing of Lewis and Gallagher.
In a tactical battle, Birkdale kept Southport at bay, but with time rapidly running out, the Birkdale pair held on to their very slender lead to win by one hoop.
Meanwhile, in the two singles games, Roberts made his experience tell by defeating Mawdsley, but Southport’s Lewis defeating Key, to pull a game back for Southport, sending Birkdale in at lunch with a 2-1 lead.
This put Southport into a determined mood after lunch with Mawdsley quickly levelling the match by defeating Farrell, while Lewis found some great form to defeat Birkdale captain Roberts to move Southport into a 3-2 lead.
Meanwhile, Thomas and Lewis were playing out a close fought encounter of their own, and in what was a tantalizingly close game, the scores were level as time was called.
Then, as both players manoeuvred play for the golden hoop, Thomas hit a long shot to pickup the vital point to level the match 3-3.
In the final game, Gallagher made no mistake, with a powerful display of concentration enough to defeat Key.
The Southport skipper’s impressive - and crucial - win gifted the bragging rights to Southport, with the visitors edging the contest by 4 game to 3.
For more information on Southport & Birkdale Croquet Club visit www.southportcroquet. org or call 01704 551713