Having finished mid table in their first season in Championship North 2, Southport Ladies got this seasons campaign underway with an away fixture to Manchester Ladies. Having beaten Manchester both home and away last season, Port were keen for a repeat performance. Unfortunately that was not meant to be and Manchester showed how much they have improved on last season.

Manchester got the game underway and for the first 15 minutes play was contained in the Port half with neither team finding a way through. Some strong runs by number 8 Littlewood allowed Port to make ground but many forced errors kept Port pinned. Some confident kicking by outside centre Ambrose momentarily gave Port the territory but with wet conditions and players playing out of position, it took a while for Port to settle. A loose ball from Port saw the Manchester centre pounce and hack the ball through only to be denied the try by some stellar tracking back from fullback Rouffignac. Manchester finally broke the deadlock with a quickly took penalty saw them pass the ball out wide and the try scored. With the conversion good, the score 7-0
Port made good ground from the restart after stealing the ball and strong carries by Green and Brown, with good support from Malmgren and Morris setting a good platform, Port rumbled up the pitch. However, when play switched, Manchester made their way up the pitch, won a penalty inside the 10, and infront of the posts, and slotted the ball over cleanly. Score 10-0
From the restart Port pounced on the ball and made their way into the Manchester 10. A fine run by Littlewood took her to within inches of the line but a knock on in the tackle switched possession and Manchester played the advantage with their winger running the length of the pitch to score. Conversion made. Score 17-0 and the half time whistle blew.

Port got the second half underway, turned the ball over and played some steady rugby up the pitch but when a loose ball was again picked up by the winger, she ran in the try. This time the conversion was missed. Score 22-0
Even some huge hits from flanker Keating, who put in a huge shift all afternoon, and tireless defensive work from flanker Simpson, Port couldn't stop Manchester, again, finding their winger and running in another try. Conversion good. Score 29-0.
With Manchester finding their groove and Port lacking somewhat, Manchester ran in another try from the restart taking the score to 36-0, soon followed by another speedy try. Score 43-0.
Some great carries from Brown, Keating and Littlewood, Port started to string things together, run the ball in and gain ground and with sheer determination and grit, substitute second row Dale, piled over the line for the consolation try. Port continued on the attack from the restart and just when a second try looked inevitable, prop Walton was deemed held up and the final whistle blew.

A disappointing result for Southport Ladies but they go again next week, away, against Keswick Ladies .