Radio Merseyside was a welcome visitor on Friday morning with a live interview with Chairman Andrew Carney and club Press Officer and Historian Graham Ellis on the Tony Snell show. Reporter Jimmy McCracken then returned the following afternoon to watch the Second team in action and to record a 45 minute feature for his own show which duly went out on Sunday again featuring Messrs Carney and Ellis along with Ladies Captain Lauren McCluskey.

Sadly the show was unable to record that England World Cup winning scrum half Matt Dawson had dropped in his helicopter as it headed for Greenbank School rather than the first team pitch as originally planned. But there was more than enough rugby action on it to make up for the disappointment as the club positive shone. In fact the senior teams and Colts were within seconds of recording a rare five big Ws over the weekend, the Junior Colts only missing out by a whisker to a last-second try in an epic 34-36 defeat to Wilmslow. What a game!

Unfortunately for a weakened New Brighton team it copped the backlash in the Senior Colts match that followed, Southport winning 78-7. This was on top of the Second team putting league-leaders Ashton-on-Mersey 2 to the sword 24 hours earlier by 62 points to seven in an awesome display.

Away from Waterloo Road it was equally good news, the Firsts maintaining their 100% record with a well- earned 32-24 win at Ramsey on the Isle of Man. The Thirds went to Ruskin Park, where last season they were on the wrong end of a ninety-odd points thrashing, and came home with the bacon with an impressive 21-5 victory. It is clear that new found discipline and training regime under Head Coach Bill Nichol and Chairman of selectors is hitting the mark.

This will be sorely needed this weekend when the club faces tough challenges across the board. It’s third verses sixth when the Firsts take centre stage at Hillside against Vagabonds from Douglas on the Isle of Man. This is always a tricky fixture. Likewise over the wall were its second verses third as the Thirds attempt to nick a result against the higher flying squad from Merseyside Police. Both games kick-off at 3pm.

The Seconds are Ansdell bound to pit captain Martin Baileys wit against the stripey blazers of Fylde 4, anxious to join Preston Grasshoppers 4 at the top of the table. Both Colts teams are on the road on Sunday, the Seniors at Northwich looking to match the Firsts and retain their 100% record as well as the league leadership, the Juniors closer to home at Liverpool St Helens. No game for the Ladies though.

Even so Waterloo Road will far from quiet as the Juniors and Minis have a full programme of games against Tyldesley and Orrell. Just another normal weekend, if such a thing exists in the DNA of Southport RFC!

MATCH REPORTS

First Team

Ramsey 24 Southport 32 by MIKE SMITH

Southport continued their good start to the season with a four try bonus point win away to Ramsay.

Despite a delayed flight to the Isle of Man due to fog, the mist cleared to reveal perfect conditions and the Southport team seemed unaffected by their long journey and started brightly. Early pressure by the ‘Port pack, lead by captain George Baumber and orchestrated by scrum half Dan Whalen, saw the Ramsey centres caught offside, and Danny Banks stepped up to confidently strike home the ensuing penalty and secure an early lead.

However, Southport failed to build on their domination, and a mixture of unforced errors, and good positional kicking from the Ramsay outside half, saw Ramsay coming close to opening their own account, only to be thwarted by a try saving Jamie Church tackle. Ramsey did however take the lead a short time later, when the grateful Ramsey right winger intercepted Banks’ pass and ran in from the halfway line, outsprinting Southport centre Jamie Bailey, to the disbelief of Bailey’s stationary team mates.

When Southport did put phases together, they looked dangerous, and one such passage of play saw the Southport forwards and backs combine to put early substitute Astwood over. Sadly for him and his team he was adjudged to have stepped into touch before grounding the ball.

With the game still in the balance, it was Ramsay’s turn to attack their opponent’s try line, and when a Southport player was penalised for transgressing at the ruck in front of the posts, Ramsey took an easy penalty to lead 10-3. There was just time for Southport to restart the match before half time, and a positive kick off chase resulted in the Ramsay receiver being penalised for holding on, allowing Banks to calmly kick Southport’s second penalty of the half.

Half time: Ramsey 10 Southport 6

As the teams turned around, it was evident that the break had given Southport time to refocus, and minutes into the second half, attacking runs by Sam Cross and Josh Critchley allowed substitute scrum half Joe Mawdsley to feed a hungry Astwood, who ran through two defenders to ground in the right corner. Banks proved his accuracy off the kicking tee by hitting the posts with a conversion effort for the 4th week in succession.

From the kick off Southport continued to press. An accurate Mawdsley box kick caused the Ramsey fullback to spill the ball, allowing quick recycling and a pass for Bailey to touch down in the left corner, duly converted by Banks.

Now the Southport pack was in the ascendancy. The front row of Craig Pacey, Liam Webb and replacement Tom Smith were now dominating the young Ramsey scrum, and both Critchley and the outstanding Gareth Lang were stealing plenty of lineout ball. It was from one such Lang steal that the Southport backs demonstrated their quick hands, allowing left wing Chris Drescher to outpace the entire Ramsey back line and score in the corner. Banks added the extras with his second successive touchline conversion. Within 15 minutes Southport had turned a half time deficit into a 10-25 lead.

Southport’s straight running, quick rucking, and link play from back row Danny Booth allowed Southport to keep the pressure on the Ramsey defence. From a scrum, Mawdsley threw a miss pass, and the Ramsey backs must have thought they were seeing double, as Ben Cresswell fed his twin brother Dan to score a well deserved try on his first team debut. Banks demonstrated the quality of his kicking game by again slotting the conversion from an acute angle.

However, Ramsey showed that their young side has great potential and plenty of heart, and they came back at Southport, pouncing on a lose ball from a lineout and recycling for young prop Rory Nicholls to go over for a converted try.

With two minute to go, Southport seemed eager to keep the ball alive rather than close out the game, and a flowing move saw a rejuvenated Tom Peacock draw his man and put in Astwood. Unfortunately, the referee seemed to want to ‘go upstairs’ to confirm the grounding, and, in the absence of Sky Sports cameras at Mooragh Park, instead awarded a scrum 5 to Southport. Ramsey were determined to finish well, and not only kept Southport out from the scrum, but turned defence into attack and scored a consolation try at the death.

Second Team

You'll have to make your own up from the photographs

Third Team

Ruskin Park 5 Southport 21 by RIK POTTER

St Helen’s, Ruskin Park was the venue for the third game of the season for James ‘ Doughnut’ Duran squad. And spirits were high in celebration of Luke Summerfields 21st ?!?! birthday – Which seemed a marginally unrealistic with Luke being in his 19th season at senior level rugby… ANYWAY – Nuff said, the sun was shining, Happy dayz.
Ruskin Park rugby always has flavours of rugby league flair with silky passing & kicking and some audacious (potentially higher than normal) hits. And Saturday was no exception, as the home side exerted pressure from the outset. The Southport pack were formidable in defence with Ian Smith, John Gillow and Liam Parmer commanding the scrum and proving to be a hard base to shift.

Ruskin took the game to Southport but Ged Barton @ 8 commanded the rucks and mauls and delivered great yardage for Ste Hard and Captain Doughnut to work off. A number of well worked phases were completed by both sides however without the clinical procession to underpin a score. Ruskin broke through the deadlock with a great diagonal line and pop pass through the centres utilising the full back to gain further territory. The defence didn’t realign quickly enough allowing Ruskin a five point lead.

Jason Fitzpatrick had put his boots on the right feet this weekend which showed as he notched up another penalty score right of the stick on the 22. And at half time Southport were sat on a 2 point deficit.

With 5 changes at half time the composition of the team changed dramatically. Fresh invigorated legs hit Hart passes with renewed determination, and the pack continued to drive forward. A Ruskin defensive kick to clear their line under pressure was taken by the full back in the Port half. Rik Potter went across the park releasing Scabbot and young speedster Griffiths to the Ruskin 22. A ruck ensued and Captain ‘Doughnut’ Duran picked and drove the few yards to regain the lead. Hart added the extras.
After a number of high tackles the ref saw Yellow twice to Ruskin allowing Ste Hart to capitalise on 3 points just left of the sticks. This pushed Southport more comfortably ahead and allowed more aggressive attacking rugby to be introduced. Dad to be Mark Brunskill was extremely unlucky on a few occasions not add points to his season tally after some training ground moves.

As the game continued, from a line out on the right hand side of the pitch by the half way line, Danny Capps was lifted high and collected comfortably. Duran hit a usually accurate pass to William Scott Abbott (Scabbot) allowing him time to place a great kick over the full back on the 22. The defender was taken to ground with a smash and the ball was split out to the galloping Ian Smith… (Go Neddy!! Yee Haa) who dribbled through to goal line only to be hussled off the ball by the stronger and more visceral Mark Garner-Jones. MGJ touched down just left of the sticks to the delight of the team, well, all except the slightly bemused and very much weaker Smithy!!

In the last 5 minutes of the game Southport had worked several interweaved phase’s together, gaining territory and vexing the opposition. Scabbot and Kristian Griffiths jinking through the lines with Neil Bayliffe and Mike Sheard, quick to hit the rucks and secure position. Ste Hart heard the rather loud ‘Pocket’ cries from Potter on the 22 and despatched a great pass to allow the Drop Goal opportunity. No one was more surprised than Rik Potter as the ball sailed over the sticks (On its way to the stratosphere!!) to push the game out of reach…..

The whistle blew a few minutes later and Southport marched their way to the top of the league! Like the dizzy heights reached by the truly magnificent drop goal…….. (Sorry Lads!). Man of the match although well contested by Hart, Scabbot and Mike Shaw went to…… wait for it……… Ged Barton – For a very well bossed match. Not to the drop kick hero.

Next Saturday Southport say ‘Allo Allo’ to Merseyside Police @ Waterloo road. It’s time to run riot……..

Senior Colts

Southport 78 - New Brighton 7 by KEVIN RODD

On a beautiful summer's day New Brighton arrived with only ten 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 (Forest) who ran thought 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 good 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 seemed 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 field following a kick and 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 ten man pack. Southport were penalised for a forward pass and New Brighton were awarded a scrum in Southport's twenty two. 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 between 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 twenty-two, 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 opposition's twenty-two and Frosty scored his hat trick. Joe converted 78 - 7. Whistle - full time.

Junior Colts

As second team