On 29th November this year it will be 140 years since the gentlemen of Southport Rugby Football Club first decided to indulge themselves in the so-called game for hooligans. In recognition this momentous milestone the club has joined forces with The Southport Brewery Company to celebrate the anniversary season with its own special brew.

The 140 Committee unanimously decided to go for the generically understood name ‘Ruck & Maul’ to educate imbibers in some of the finer but often misunderstood facets of the game. In simple terms for the uninitiated the laws of rugby state that a ruck occurs when a player (or players) from each side make contact with each other over the ball, which is on the ground and a maul is created when the player handling the ball is held up (but not tackled) by an opposing player, and at least one team-mate of the player in possession of the ball binds to the ball-holder. Simples!

Of more interest to CAMRA afficiadoes, and indeed to most SRFC players, is that the 4.0% beer is traditionally handcrafted using the finest Maris otter and Crystal malted barley, together with a blend of English Boadicea and Pioneer hops. It is light bronze in colour with a subtle bitterness leading to a pleasant lemon and grapefruit flavour.
‘Ruck & Maul’ will be available on draught and in bottles throughout the season in the main bar at the home of the rugby club on Waterloo Road, Hillside and at various establishments in the town, many of which have been favoured watering holes for players and members over the years.

Indeed why not challenge yourself to undertake to seek out ‘Ruck & Maul’ in the Southport RFC 140 Thirst XV Challenge, whilst supporting advertisers in ‘Ale & Hearty’ at the same time taking in each of the four grounds in the town that the club has played:

15.full back the first pint at The Barons Bar, a long time supporter of the club;
14. left wing one at The Masons Arms, another supporter of the club;
13. one outside centre of The Guest House;
12. one inside centre of the Inn Beer Shop, again one of the club sponsors;
11. right wing one at The Rabbit;
10. a fly half at The Mount Pleasant;

Then just after Manchester Road becomes Roe Lane pass the site of the first ground. This was a field adjoining the established Alexandra Cricket Club, but is now covered by houses on Melling and Irton Roads. Continue and turn up Norwood Road towards Blowick and have a

9. scrum half at The Thatched Bar & Grill, the site of The Blowick. In December 1984 a Southport Presidents XV played a Blowick Select XV in memory of Colin Houghton*;
8. sink number eight at The Grandstand Bar, home of the Sandgrounders and successor to the original rugby club (Southport RFC was originally Southport FC);
7. pull a blind-side flanker at The Richmond;

Then return to the town centre along Scarisbrick New Road and opposite the demolished former General Infirmary pass by the site of the clubs second home the former Mornington Ground now covered by houses on Falkland Road. Head for Lord Street and

6. pull an open-side flanker at The Sandgrounder;
5. lock forward at the front of the Cheshire Lines, a favourite haunt of Southport players in years gone by;

Then walk along Rotten Row past Victoria Park the clubs third home, Ho Lee Chows being the building where the players changed but without washing facilities then

4. lock forward in the middle of the line at The Fishermen’s Rest;
3. have a tight-head pint whilst propping up the bar at the Tea Rooms, another supporter of the club;
2. **(artistic licence as far as numbering is concerned from now on) and a loose-head pint whilst propping up the bar at The Crown, the nearest pub to the club with an association going back to the non-licensed clubhouse days pre-1952.

And finally a stroll down Arundel Road gets you to Waterloo Road, the fourth and the much loved home of the club where

1. a hooker or four await your company….and a pint of ‘Ruck of Maul’.

Seriously the club will welcome all CAMRA members on match days to sample ‘Ruck & Maul’ and the ambience of grass roots rugby as it should be; a club run by volunteers supporting a game played by amateurs. With seventeen teams from u6 to Seniors, including a new Ladies team the club house is buzzing on a Saturday afternoon and evenings, and on Sunday lunchtimes throughout the season. Check out the Southport Visiter for the fixtures or the SRFC web site www.southportrfc.com
If you cant make it down to Waterloo road please support the hostelries and off licences that support the club. And when it comes to ‘Ruck & Maul’ remember to Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage…and Enjoy! (actually that’s to do with scrummaging but who cares?)

* Apologies I got my facts wrong in the original article I sent to Neville and I since established that match was the Colin Houghton Memorial Match. There was another game in memory of Dave Williamson.

** And another one! A certain Mr Gillow a well known aficionado of the dark arts of the front row has advised me in his own inimitable way that the numbering in the article is all to cock. I'm happy to put the record straight my only excuse being that in the days I played the shirts we had never had numbers. Indeed in some cases we were lucky if they had a collar or sleeves.

In the midst of his ire though there was more than hint that John might be up for organising a batalion to take up the Thirst XV Challenge, although in the next breath those magic words "Mini Bus" were also mentioned.

Anyway, watch this space. Over to you John and everyone else.....

Thanks to Neville and his colleagues, and for all the effort CAMRA puts in to look after us beer lovers. Ale & Hearty is a really good read and available free of charge in various pubs and clubs, tourist offices etc. throughout and beyond the branch area of North Sefton and West Lancashire. I'm hoping we can have a supply at the bar too and if so please help yourself.

Ruck & Maul will be on offer at the 13th Sandgrounder Beer Festival at St John's Hall, Wright Street next week from Thursday to Saturday so why pop along and support those who support us and have a damn good time...but not on Saturday afternoon of course as that is the BIG game at home to Ormskirk.