Down to the Wire

Sunday saw Southport Ladies make the journey up north to Kendal Ladies in a battle of the newbies. With both teams newly promoted this season, this would be an interesting contest.
Kendal came out of the blocks and camped in the Southport 22 for the first 20 minutes. Southport ladies held firm but patient play by Kendal saw them cross the line for the opener and make the conversion. From the restart Southport continued to hold Kendal at bay with some strong tackling and a solid defensive line but a scrum to Kendal in the Southport 22 saw their outside centre run in Kendals 2nd of the game. With the conversion missed the score stood at 12-0.
Straight from the off, Kendal turned on the afterburners and a lapse in concentration saw their speedy centre run half the length of the pitch to score in the corner. The conversion missed and the score now 17-0. Switched on after a captains chat, Southport began to play the kind of rugby that has promoted them and when the forwards set the platform for the backs to do their magic, outside centre Millie Tavernier ran in a great try on the stroke of half time. With the conversion good, the score now 17- 7.

The second half saw debutant Aimee Keating make her senior debut and she showed exactly how ready she is for senior rugby with hit after hit and making some charging runs. Southport got themselves on the scoreboard again when the ball found winger Jessop who made a great run down the wing fending off three Kendal players to score a determined try in the corner. The angle too wide for the conversion but Southport were back in the game with the score at 17-12.
From the restart Southport made their way up the pitch and when the forwards set the platform, the backs took over and with a move straight from the training ground, Millie Tavernier ran in her second try and put Southport in the lead. Unfortunately the conversion was just wide but with the score now 17-17, it was anyone's game to win......or lose.
When a penalty was awarded to Southport in the Kendal 22, the sensible option to kick for points was taken and for the first time and with only 8 minutes left, Southport took the lead.

With the main objective to keep the ball and run down the clock, Southport applied the pressure to Kendal, however, when Kendal stole the ball they patiently made their way up the pitch. Camped in Southport's 22, the defence held firm until a powerful drive by Kendal saw them squeeze over the line to take the points in the last play of the game. Final score 22-20.

An excellent display by both teams in a game that went right to the wire. Southport will take many huge positives from this game and they go again Sunday 12th November when they welcome Crewe and Nantwich Ladies to Waterloo Road.