It was a dramatic afternoon all round. Joe Mawdsleys 1s gave their all as they battled ferociously with 14 men in the second half to come mightily close to upsetting a full strength Liverpool St Helens; Andy Bolands bouyant 2s retain top sport with an emphatic 45-6 win at Leigh 2s; and the 3s secure a dramatic last gasp 17-15 victory against Tarleton 2s.

But this isn't the full story. It was beauty and the beast stuff as young James Cook came off the bench for the 3s to play centre outside father Shane at fly-half and was instrumental with the rest of the team in turning around a 0-12 deficit, including the winning conversion. Click here http://www.southportrfc.com/videos/james-cooks-winning-kick-94132.html
Rumours that having achieved his long cherished ambition Shane would retire are believed to be premature with more young Cooks in the pipeline!

James' impressive debut aside it was also terrific to see may of his team mates from the Colts to support him and it is hoped that they will soon follow in his footsteps, and become an integral part of the Seniors galvanised by the buzzing atmosphere in the club house throughout the afternoon and into the evening. No more so than the fervour stirred up by Jonah's Jackpot Draw which is now embedded in the DNA of the club at 6pm on a Saturday matchday.

Next week the Jackpot is likely to exceed £1500, not a bad return for a £1 ticket, assuming of course Jonah has remembered to put the Joker on the board! The odds are shortening as the number of cards dwindles by the week. This weeks unlucky punter Colin Fearns picked out one of the Royals; close but no cigar. Everything to play for next Saturday and remember you've "got to be in to win".

Finally how many clubs can say that they have had a rugby great operating the scoreboard! It was surreal to see LSH President, dual code international and long time BBC RL commentator, Ray French pick up the batten and put the numbers on the board. Mind you I think he got the score the wrong way round!

But the day belonged to our own rugby great Shane Cook and son James. A special moment for the Cook family and for the club as a whole. As the saying goes we're all "Cooking on gas"