COOL HAND NATALIE SECURES MOMENTUS LAST GASP VICTORY FOR LADIES

Southport ladies got off to a fantastic start to the new campaign narrowly beating local rivals Liverpool collegiate 15-14 in a thrilling encounter at Waterloo Road. From the first whistle the work done with the ladies over the summer was evident in the game play with Southport looking organised in defence and purposeful in attack.

The first 15 minutes was played in the Collegiate half, Southport playing phase after phase but not being able to break the solid Collegiate defence before falling to a sucker punch. The beleaguered away side managed to turn over the ball and whilst the home defence was re-organising the opposition shipped the ball out to their winger and scored a break-away try, which was converted. Although disappointed with the score going against the run of play Southport picked up where they left off from the re-start- camped in Collegiate's 22. Southport's persistence paid off and won a penalty for collegiate players going off their feet in the ruck- Natalie Burns stepped up and comfortably made the score 3-7.

The second half followed very much the same pattern as the first. Purposeful running by the Southport forwards continued to move them up the pitch. Gemma Hurst ripped the ball from a forming maul on the five metre line to go over for her first try for the club. The conversion was missed following which Southport seemed to have a short spell we're they lost concentration and a handling error saw Collegiate pounce and score a try of their own, which was converted.

Again Southport shook dusted themselves down and their fitness and determination started to show. Courageous tackling from flanker Antonia Richman, which earned her girl of game, helped her side to continuously win ball in dangerous areas resulting in a penalty on five-metre line. With only a couple of minutes left Southport knew they needed a converted try to win the game. Desperate Collegiate defence stopped the crashing forwards from going over the line but this did not stop centre Kirsty Mahony powering through for the try, setting up a winner takes all conversion attempt.. Natalie Burns knew this kick could win the game - all her practice and cool head paid off as she converted and secured victory as the referee blew for full time straight away.

Ladies of Southport. If you are interested in trying a new, fun sport give women's rugby a go- contact team captain Lauren McCluskey 07803420657 for further details.