Ladies serve up Plate success to cap season
WITH the league season all tied up and Southport Ladies triumphant for the second season in a row, the Lancashire County Women’s Competition was all that remained for the ladies to add more silverware to the cabinet.
Having been beaten earlier in the season by Liverpool St Helens, who went on to claim victory in the Cup Final, Southport progressed in the Plate competition and found themselves up against Littleborough on Sunday, in a battle for the Plate.
Southport got the game underway and came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders; taking the game to Littleborough, their strong defence quickly began to push Littleborough back into their own half.
With ‘borough forced to make the clearing kick, a confident take by young fullback Ambrose put Port on the attack. Some quick, slick hands saw the ball find young winger McArdle who ran in the first try for Port with just seven minutes gone. The conversion just wide.
‘Borough kicked the restart and Port began their attack well into the ‘borough 22 with strong, confident carries by second row combo Palmer and Malmgren.
An unfortunate knock on gave ‘borough the scrum but strong prop work by Duggan and some great pressure from the Port backs, they forced the knock on and with the advantage being played, McArdle picked the loose ball and made her way towards the whitewash.
Tackled just short, centre Griffiths was on hand to pick the ball and dive over the line to score under the posts. The conversion good taking the score to 12-0.
From the restart, Meath caused mayhem with some charging carries and with Morris providing her ever consistent support play, Port rumbled up the pitch. ‘Borough showed a strong, organised defence and, with some great counter rucking, they stole the ball.
A knock on by ‘borough put paid to any ground being made and from the subsequent scrum, centre Slack made a charging run, offloaded to speedy winger Jessop who was brought down just short of the try line.
Slack, showing great support play, picked the ball and ran in her first of four tries. With the conversion missed the score now 17-0.
Again from the restart, Meath showed great strength with some huge carries and Captain Walton caused the ‘borough defence all sorts of problems with her powerful runs.
Flanker Hallet, who has gone from strength to strength over this season, worked tirelessly in both support play and carrying and when the ball was passed out cleanly to the backs, Slack ran in her second try.
The conversion an easy one taking the score to 24-0.
Great lines of running and offloading by Port allowed them to make their way into the ‘borough half but with a penalty to Port for a high tackle, a fine kick to touch gave Port a lineout in the 22.
A clean take and good hands saw Slack run in her 3rd try. The conversion just short. Port were in full swing now and ‘borough defended admirably but solid interplay and the high tempo was too much for ‘borough and McArdle ran in her 2nd try of the game. With the conversion good, the score now 36-0.
When Port were penalised for going off their feet from the restart, ‘borough tried to make good use of the ball and their speedy scrum half took a quick penalty and made some serious ground. With ‘borough deep in Ports half it would be Walton who made sure Port kept a clean sheet by stealing the ball and putting Port back in the driving seat. With Port clearing their lines and giving themselves some breathing space, ‘borough knocked the ball on.
Playing with the advantage, Port pressed on but a high tackle by ‘borough, and a subsequent yellow card, Port gained some ground by finding touch in the 22. A solid maul and a slick pass by scrum half Rouffignac found centre Slack who made a strong run through the centres to score her 4th under the posts. An easy conversion taking the half time score to 43-0.
The second half got underway and the ‘borough defence held firm forcing a knock on by Port in their 22. Again, a solid scrum by Port saw them steal the ball and a showy run by winger Jessop saw her dot down in the corner with just minutes gone. The conversion just short. Score 48-0.
Sloppy play from both teams at the restart saw possession switch but when ‘borough knocked on and the ref played advantage, Jessop pounced on the ball and darted over for her second try of the game. Again, the conversion just short and the score now 53-0.
With the ‘borough restart not going the required 10 metres, Port had the scrum on the halfway.
Replacement number 8 Welsh showing her control at the back of the scrum to allow Rouffignac clean ball for the backs.
Griffiths made a charging run towards the 22, offloading in the tackle to Flanker Lane who broke through 3 tackles to score under the posts. A tidy conversion taking the score to 60-0.
From the restart, Meath caused more problems for ‘borough and an unlucky knock on gave ‘borough the scrum.
Returning the favour, ‘borough knocked the ball on and Port were back in control.
Scrum half Rouffignac took the chance and ran round the blind side to score Port’s final try of the game.
With the conversion a good one, and the final whistle blown, Port ran out victorious with the final score 67-0.
Southport have gone from strength to strength this season and can be proud of their achievements.
A nomination for sportsperson of the year at this years pride of Sefton awards is the icing on the cake.
A huge thanks must go to all the individual and club sponsors and Southport RFC as a whole for their huge support over the season, the Ladies are extremely grateful and with promotion into Championship 2 North next season, the Ladies are thrilled for what will be a challenging and exciting time.