Southport Rugby Club Ladies make it two seasons unbeaten as they prepare for plate final

By Faye Dagnall 

Southport Rugby Club Ladies made the short trip to Manchester on Sunday to play their last league game of the season against a strong Broughton Park side. 

Already crowned league winners, this game was about maintaining the unbeaten run the ladies have been on for the last two seasons. 

With players unavailable and more than a few injuries within the squad, the ladies travelled with only 3 subs and players playing out of position – an absolute testament to the strength and depth within the squad and the attitude that they bring.

Southport got the game underway and when Broughton tried to make yards, Port held firm with young centre McArdle setting the tone with a big tackle into touch. From the resulting line out the Port backs showed great hands and with Jessop tackled just short, flanker Lane was on hand to pick the ball and dot it down for the first try after just 3 minutes. The angle of the conversion was just too wide for McKeown.

From the restart Broughton had the bit between their teeth and when Port gave away a penalty for not releasing, a quick tap saw Broughton pass the ball out wide and score in the corner. With the conversion missed the score levelled at 5-5.

Port restarted and when Broughton were tackled to touch, Port took the quick throw which found Lane who went on one of her famous marauding runs causing havoc to the Broughton defence. The ball was subsequently knocked on in the tackle and Broughton had the scrum just outside the 22. A great steal by Port put them back on the attack but some determined defence by Broughton saw McKeown held up over the line resulting in a goal line drop out. With Port tackled into touch, Broughton had the line out but when scrum half Rouffignac stole the ball, she darted over the line to score her first of 3. The conversion was good and the score 5-12.

At the restart the game switched possession in the centre of the pitch until McKeown broke through the Broughton defence into the 22 and offloaded in the tackle to the supporting Jessop who ran in her second try. Again the conversion was just wide. Score 5-17.

Some strong runs by Meath and great support play by second row Plunkett allowed Port to set the platform and try to make ground but Broughton were making it difficult and a nice kick through by McKeown into the Broughton 22 relieved the pressure. Some scrappy play from both sides resulted in a scrum to Broughton but heavy pressure from scrum half Rouffignac saw her do her thing and rip the ball, running in her second try. The conversion was easy for McKeown and the score 5-24.

Another storming run by Lane from the restart saw her make yards into the Broughton half and when she was eventually brought down the Broughton defence ripped the ball. A subsequent knock on awarded Port the scrum but with the referee deeming the ball was ‘fed in’ at the scrum, Broughton had the penalty. With the opposition on the attack and the ball finding their rangy second row, it would be new winger Kipling who stopped her in her tracks with a strong, confident tackle. A head injury stopped play for a short period but from the scrum restart, Port stole the ball. With more structured play from Port the forwards made more controlled carries and stronger rucking, in particular from flanker Hallet who showed her confidence and strength and provided huge support all game with her absolute engine getting her around the pitch.

When the ball was knocked on the half time whistle blew. Score 5-24.

Broughton got the second half underway and they came out of the blocks fighting. They stole the ball in the tackle and with Port missing too many tackles, Broughton ran in their second try. The conversion missed. Score 10-24.

Better defence from Port at the restart forced the knock on by Broughton and when Meath picked from the back of the scrum she made a good run up to the half way line. A strong run by Kipling showing her confidence growth this season as she made more yards but a good tackle by Broughton took her into touch. When Port stole the line out, fly-half McKeown made one of her trademark mazey runs and ran in a great try making the easy conversion. Score 10-31.

A great take by Meath at the restart set Port off on the attack but a subsequent knock on gave Broughton the scrum in their 22. Some good pressure by Rouffignac resulted in Broughton penalised for holding on and with the penalty on the 5m line, the ball found captain Walton who stormed her way over the line. The conversion was just short. Score 10-36.

From the restart Port were solid, carrying strongly and supporting well. Unfortunately, a strong tackle by the Broughton full back put Port into touch but a great steal by Hallet put Port back on the attack. A subsequent knock on put paid to that and Broughton had the scrum. A great kick by McKeown to find touch after a penalty, for Broughton holding on, gave Port a good advantage and from the ensuing maul, scrum half Rouffignac spotted the gap in the defence, commanded the ball and popped it off to Jessop who ran in her second. A great conversion taking the score to 10-43.

A fantastic run from the restart by number 8, turned centre for the day, Griffiths gained ground for Port from the restart and some excellent support play by the ever reliable Morris ensured Port continued up the pitch. A high tackle by Broughton sealed their fate when McKeown made a safe kick to touch from the penalty and with a line out in the 22, Port formed a solid maul. Captain Walton took the ball from the back and popped it to the supporting Rouffignac who dotted down for her hattrick. The angle too wide for McKeown. Score 10-48.

From the Broughton restart play became scrappy and with knock ons from both sides the final whistle blew. Full time score 10-48.

Credit to Broughton Park Ladies who gave Southport an extremely tough and physical game but huge credit to the Port Ladies who played out of position and gave their all. 

Two League titles in two consecutive seasons is a massive achievement. The ladies have worked tirelessly to achieve what they have but a huge thanks has to go to the coaches, sponsors and Southport RFC as a whole who have supported the Ladies continuously.

The Ladies will be bringing their whole season to a close when they play Littleborough in the Lancashire County Competition – plate final on 23rd April, hopefully adding more silverware to the cabinet.

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