Southport RFC vs Liverpool Collegiate RUFC

The first XV were looking to build on a strong performance a fortnight ago against Vagabonds last weekend, when they travelled up to Southport for what was sure to be a tough, physical game.

Straight out of the blocks, the boys in blue showed they were looking to run the ball, with centre Tom Featherstone making good yards whenever he touched the ball as well as the pack working hard to gain yards and eliminate the threat of the bigger Southport pack.

However, it was the home side who struck first with a well taken penalty from the full back after a good spell from the forwards in the Collegiate half.

However, quick line speed in defence proved advantageous for the visitors, as a fumble in the Southport backline allowed for returning Adam Kilcourse to hack the ball over the line and Dave Proctor to outpace the covering scramble defence to score. With the conversion successful, the scores were 7-3 in favour of the first XV.

Unfortunately, the clear advantage in the backs was not made to count, with contact skills letting the Collegiate team down and resulting in another penalty to the home side, which was once again converted by the opposition full back.

From this point, the game became a battle of the breakdown. With defences holding strong and no real momentum gained, the scores remained the same until the break.

However, note must be taken of the courageous Collegiate defence just before the interval which, although under immense pressure, managed to hold out from conceding what would have been a well worked score right on the stroke of half time.

With their tails up and the wind behind them, the gameplan was simple. Trust in sequences and look to play in the home teams half. This, as always, was easier said than done. Mistakes ruled the second half for both sides, offering penalty opportunities for both sides, with Southport converting two alongside the visitors single success.

Then the game changer. A well worked move from the pack saw space out wide for Chris Austin, who linked up with wing Lewis Nancarrow. With strong support play and offloads sticking for the first time in the match, Dave Proctor managed to fall over the line for his 2 nd of the game. With the conversion missed, the scores were now 15-12 in the first XV's favour.

With growing pressure on the opposition, the blue boys then managed to convert a penalty from Chris Lloyd. The mentality now was to maintain discipline.

Once again, easier said than done. From the kick off that followed, Collegiate gave away yet another penalty, followed shortly by another. With the scores now tied, the momentum seemed to be shifting back into the home sides favour.

Credit where its due, the first XV dug deep and found themselves some territory, resulting in another penalty opportunity. This time it was converted, giving the visitors a narrow lead heading into the last 5 minutes.

With bodies strung exhausted across the park, Southport launched one last assault on the collegiate defence. This resulted in another penalty which, judging by the 100% record of the kicker thus far, seemed to be headed on its way for the draw. However, luck was on the visitors side. The kick narrowly missed, with the final whistle following immediately after.

A courageous effort by all involved, but discipline must improve for next week when the first XV host Wallasey in what is sure to be another tough encounter.