Southport Men’s team were looking to replicate the winning formulae of last week when they narrowly defeated Sefton as they took on Widnes who were 4 places above them in the table.
A large crowd were in attendance with Paul Halsall’s Broadley Developments sponsoring the match.
There was also a strong contingent of 70’s and 80’s players in support as the celebrations of our 150th year continued.
Widnes kicked off proceedings and the first 20 minutes both teams negated each other with Southport significantly stronger in the scrums with Widnes showing some nice moves with their backs. The home team had a few early opportunities with Captain James Bailey gathering a smart chip kick from Connor Rylands and nearly scoring a try and then Harrison Keating gaining good ground with some strong runs. Both teams then traded penalties with Southports resulting from a deliberate knock on by Widnes and then Southport committing an offside offence. The away team then produced some nice interplay with their second row scoring from close range with the successful kick giving Widnes a 3 – 10 lead. Southport bounced back and with Widnes not rolling away in the tackle, Jake Mann was able to reduce the deficit with the half time score of 6 – 10.
Southport were kicking to the clubhouse end and the early exchanges in the second half were once again tight with Southport’s powerful front row dominating the scrums and Widnes looking dangerous when they spun the ball wide. At one point Widnes had a 2 man overlap and looked certain to score however a knock on resulted in Jordy and Jake Mann counter attacking displaying all of their round ball skills as they kicked through towards the try line. Widnes looked to have the danger covered however such are the vagaries of an oval ball that an unusual bounce enabled Jake Mann to touch down and then convert his try. The home team were gathering momentum and with Widnes again deliberately knocking on they were down to 14 men for 10 minutes. Southport were awarded another penalty and the lead grew to 16 -10. Southport dominance in the scrum was to be expected and they nearly scored a push over try however another penalty increased the score to 19 -10 with 20 minutes to go. James Cook was brought on in the centres and his strong bullocking runs gave the home side excellent momentum. The last 10 minutes were nerve jangling and Widens finally broke the shackles and after passing the ball along the line and then back they managed to score an unconverted try in the corner and with only minutes remaining there was only one scorer in it. From the kick off Forrest gathered the ball in impressive Aussie Rules style and with James Cook once again pounding the line Southport were close to scoring another try. A number of Southport scrums on the Widnes 5 metre line came to nothing and when Widnes broke free they looked certain to score however Callum Monaghan managed to corral the away team’s lock into touch and Southport regained possession. The home side then worked their way into the opposition half once again and threatened the try line again. In the end the visitors ran out of tries and ideas and Southport ended worthy winners 19 -15.
Bar Nista Man of the match scoring all 19 points was Jake Mann. The Bailey brothers both had good games with James Cook also ably supporting them. The pack once again were dominant and this all looks promising for the upcoming away match against Bolton this Saturday.
There was no 2nds or 3rds match however the Colts had a very strong win against Anselmians and the ladies beat Halifax.
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