Sunday saw Southport Ladies travel to Manchester Ladies to get the second half of the season underway. Having only narrowly beat them at home, Port knew this would be a close game but with a strong squad, Port were determined.

The game got underway with Port kicking and, setting the intensity, flanker Griffiths cleared out the first ruck but unfortunately the ball was knocked on into touch and Manchester had the line out. A big clearance kick got them out of their own half and Port had the line out. With Port on the attack, they made their way up to the half way but were finding it difficult to get out of their own half. With scrappy play by both teams it took time to settle and with Port's support play letting them down at times, Manchester were quickly over the ball and on the attack. A forward pass put paid to any further ground and Port had the scrum on their own 22. Some good handling and strong runs by captain Walton and flanker Griffiths saw Port reach the half way. An infringement by Manchester allowed Port to gain further ground with a kick to touch and, from the resulting line out, the Port backs passed the ball along the line to find outside centre Tavernier who ran in the first try. Unfortunately the conversion was missed and the score stood at 0-5.
From the restart a forward pass by Port allowed Manchester to build some momentum and make their way into the Port 22. Some strong defence by Port kept them at bay and when fly-half Dagnall intercepted the pass, Port were on the break up the pitch. Excellent support play from wingers Jessop, who had an excellent defensive game, and Deitrich in only her second start of her first season, secured the ball when Dagnall was caught just short of the halfway allowing Port to continue their attack. Strong carries by Number 8 Welsh and a strong run by outside centre Kerr, kept the momentum going until a steal and clearance kick put Port back outside the 22. Unfortunately the ball was lost and Manchester had possession. A high tackle by Port rewarded Manchester with the penalty but when the kick didn't find touch, full back Ambrose took the ball cleanly and carried well back up the pitch. A subsequent loose pass gave Manchester the chance to break into Ports half but great pressure from the Port line and some strong tackles by prop Palmer and young second row Keating, forced the error as the half time whistle blew.

At the start of the second half the Manchester flanker, who was a menace all game, took the ball cleanly and Manchester carried into the Port 22. When the ball was knocked on Port had the scrum and the deft boot of McKeown made the clearance. Knocked on again and McKeown made the second clearance pushing Manchester further back into their own 22. When Manchester were penalised for holding on, scrum half Rouffignac played the ball quickly and found Griffiths who wriggled her way over the line. With the angle too wide, the conversion was missed. Score 0-10.
Port made good ground from the restart but a steal from Manchester allowed them to play their way up the pitch and pull back a converted try. Score 5-10. From the restart Manchester made some hard runs causing Port to concede a penalty and allowed Manchester to kick to touch for the line out on the 5 metre line. Good defence by Port kept them at bay but when the referee awarded a penalty try, having deemed Port to have committed foul play preventing a probable try, Manchester went into the lead. Score 14-10.
Straight from the restart Manchester knocked the ball on and Port had the scrum. Some slick hands got the ball moving and when the ball found Tavernier she danced in for the match winning try in the last play of the game. With the conversion good, Port ran out winners - 14-17.

A tough game for Port Ladies but they showed amazing grit and resilience to fight on to the final whistle. A huge win which sees them move to 3rd in the table. Sunday 14th January the ladies will host Sefton at home at Waterloo Road. Sefton currently sit just 3 points behind Southport in the league so a huge game for the Ladies to cement their place in the top 3. Kick off 2pm.