On Sunday afternoon we are honoured that the prestigious Lancashire RFU Schools Finals will be played at Waterloo Road and we extend a warm welcome to each and every school, especially to the players, teachers, parents and supporters.

This is yet another special event in annals of the club, especially as eighty five years on Monday the first-ever 1st XV game was played here as the club gradually relocated from Victoria Park, now home to the famous flower show near the sea front and the town centre. On 26th March 1927 the home side were victorious over the illustrious Preston Grasshoppers 11-0. On Saturday history repeats itself when the fixture is replicated as Southport 2nd XV take on Preston Grasshoppers 5th XV. The 3rds also enact another longstanding local rivalry with Waterloo 4ths.

Sadly there will be no school from Southport represented on Sunday. Since the demise of King George V Grammar School in the early 1980s there has been comparatively little rugby played in the schools in the town although latterly Birkdale High School has enjoyed some success in the Lancashire Emerging Schools Cups. Despite this the three senior teams are populated with former pupils from Ainsdale, Birkdale, Christ the King, Meols Cop and Stanley High Schools and many of the players in the Colts teams play for KGV 6th Form College.

However, it is extremely encouraging that pupils residing in the town attending rugby playing schools like Merchant Taylors and St Marys College are now choosing to play for their local club too which augers well for the future.

Despite no Southport schools being involved on Sunday, the club has its roots in school boy rugby and it is a great privilege for the town rugby club to hosting some of the best and most well known rugby playing schools in the county.

Everyone at the club wishes all our guests a great afternoon who we hope will enjoy all the facilities that our Waterloo Road home has to offer in the knowledge that they are contributing yet another chapter to its rich history. Please come down to add to the atmosphere and to enjoy a cracking afternoon, better still please volunteer your services!

MATCH SCHEDULE

12.00
Under 13 CUP St Mary’s Hall v Lancaster RGS
Under 13 PLATE Bolton School v Merchant Taylors

1.00 pm
Under 14 CUP Stonyhurst College v Lancaster RGS
Under 14 PLATE Bury GS v St Edwards College

2.00 pm
Under15 CUP Lancaster RGS v Stonyhurst College
Under 15 PLATE Arnold v Liverpool College

3.15 pm
Under 16 CUP Stonyhurst Coll v Merchant Taylors Sch.
Under 16 PLATE Audenshaw School v St Edwards Coll.

Further detail on the history of Southport RFC, the grounds and links with KGV can be found on the Club Info page.