FROSTY THE SHOWMAN!

On a beautiful summer's day New Brighton arrived with only 10 men and Southport offered them some players but the visitors declined. Unfortunately a full squad of 22 turned out for Southport and according to Raging Bull Rules, only 4 subs were permitted to play with a depleted front row. Apologies to the players who were unable to play.

New Brighton started the game and Southport attacked from the beginning. Following a line out the ball was passed to James Bailey (Forrest )who ran throught the entire team to score the opening try. Ben Cresswell converted. 7 - 0 New Brighton re-started and claimed a line out and Southport gave a way a penalty. New Brighton kicked for goal but missed. Southport moved up the field with good clean passing and the ball landed in Sam Cross's arms. Sam forced his way through to score. Ben converted again 14 - 0. Play resumed and Dan Cresswell caught the ball, ran for goal but was tackled. His team gave goood support and Alex Frost barged through to score for his first try. Conversion missed. 19 - 0.

New Brighton push up the field but loose the ball to Forrest who clears off the try line line and blasts it back towards New Brighton's half. Play became scrappy and Southport were penalised for going over the top. Southport regained possession close to the half way line and with a beautiful side-step, Lewis Caldwell runs clear to score under the post. Ben converted 26 - 0. This seem to open the flood gates each time Southport got the ball they charged forwards. Sam Cross passed the ball to Lewis for his second try - Ben converted 33 - 0. The very next attack resulted in New Brighton holding up the ball and Southport were awarded a 5 metre scrum from which scrumhalf Jamie Rodd scored his first try of the season. Ben missed the conversion 38 - 0. Minutes later, with play in Southport's own half, Joe Ryan broke away to score and convert 45 - 0. With the ball back in Southport's half again, Ben Cresswell copied Joe's effort and scored again 50 - 0 (half-time).

Players were rotated a half time. James Cuffe, Bradley Missell and Jimmy Booth came on for the twins and Sam Cross. Southport kicked off, New Brighton charge up fieldd following a kickand loose the ball . Frosty breaks through from his own half to run close to the post but runs out of steam. In support, James Cuffe came to his rescue and in the style of Chris Ashton, scored a try between the posts. Joe Ryan converted 57 - 0.

Southport demonstrated good defensive play against New Brighton's tired but not down-hearted 10 man pack. Southport were penalised for a forward pass and New Brighton were awarded a scrum in Southport's 22. Southport won the scrum and Joe breaks free, heads towards the posts and unselfishly passes the ball to Brad who stayed in support. Brad scored btween the posts and Joe converted 64 - 0.

Southport dominated the match. Jimmy went clear through the opposition , passed the ball to Connor Holmes-Smith. Frosty was at Connor's side and took the ball over for his second try of the game. Joe converted. 71 - 0. New Brighton found some energy and fight and charged up the field into Southport's 22, thought they had scored but the ref disallowed it for a double grounding. From the scrum, New Brighton broke through to score a well-earned try and conversion 71 - 7. New Brighton earn a line out from their kick off but Southport fought back and Billy Nicol drove hard into the oppposition's 22 and Frosty scored his hatrick. Joe converted 78 - 7. Whistle - full time.