Southport U9's vs Preston & Tyldesley

Bitter cold defeated by Christmas Spirit and ban on humbug !

Bitter cold defeated by Christmas Spirit and ban on humbug !

Preston. grasshoppers and Tyldesley made the trip to Southport this weekend on a chilly morning following torrential rain.
The U9 matches were moved to Birkdale High and thanks to the school - the venue was excellent and provided a solid platform for some great rugby !

2 teams from Southport with 4 substitutes then meant that the 6 teams consisted of 52 players - all ready to go !

All games were very tight and head coaches from all 3 teams remarked on how high the standards were in tackling and moving the ball.
Highlights included Charlotte scoring the stand out try of the day - from deep in her own half she scythes through the Hoppers defence in the middle and there was no stopping her ! This girls ambition is to score for England one day and on this performance this could be possible !

Lewis tacked like a demon - holding the line and showing great leadership in a phase of 22 tackles which saw hoppers score - to applause from all for an outstanding try which was required to beat outstanding defence ! Lewis older brother was recently selected for Lancashire - signs are there for him !

After the first 2 matches for each team both Southport teams had narrowly won one and lost one ! Games very tight !
Then the weather decided to play its part as it went from cold to windy cold and wet !
This had an impact on players coaches and parents - wind Chill affecting hands and little bodies !
The children's all did well to play on with Devon brilliant play from Tyldsley scoring 3 unanswered try's against one of the hoppers teams whilst one Southport team won the next match the other team were beaten comprehensively !
One of the facts in the former was George - player of the day for Southport - highlight were 3 try's scored by Southport where he started the move on the left, passed out of the tackle, then helped rip the ball back - pass out again and supported to pick up the morsel of a pass and convert 2 with one assist. A brilliant rugby mind today !

So there you have it - 2 and a half hours of magic - fun and smiling faces as Southport held their own against 2 great well coached teams.

Thanks to both sets of visiting coaches for their support and playing the game as it should - for the kids !
Well done to all of them !
Christmas break now looming where Southport need to work on chocolate and present opening !

Thanks for all your support

Dave and the U9 coaching team !