- Southport
A.R.L.F.C
Southport 4 - Hirstfinch 4
XL Think Big Sponsored Southport Rugby League Team, entertained Hirstfinch of St Helens for Saturdays league game at Therlmere
Road.
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- The visitors were in confident mood coming off the back of two wins, and in the early part of the game this looked as though it might stretch to three. Southport's ball control was very poor, mistakes coming thick and fast continually giving the ball to the opposition. The only good point to come out of the first twenty minutes was the results of the work on
defense in training. Hirstfinch were using the ball to good effect well lead by there experienced lose forward distributing well with players running off him running the angles, attacking down the middle then switching out wide. Southport defense was holding well with everyone working hard, but down the left side Hirstfinch found a gap in the line to score out wide, the try was unconverted. Southport's ball handling was now starting to improve and with Danny Sinclair and Gary Hunt starting to distribute the ball Carl McArdle, Russ Parr and Chris Dresher starting to run well of the ball, the home side were starting to come back into the game. With Frank Dunn continuing to improve every game both in defense and with Richard Hulse were making life hard for the Hirstfinch defense, with all this pressure, Robinson scored a well earned try again the conversion attempt going wide. This close fought game left both sides on four points each at half-time.
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After the break Southport were by far the better side, any breaks by Hirstfinch well covered, and full back Steve Hornby having a good solid game making some fine last line tackles. With a number of substitutions now being made some fresh legs and big hits from Simion Shakespeare. Southport were now in total control with long spells in the opposition half, driving forward all the time, Frank Dunn had a perfectly good try disallowed, this most probably cost Southport the game. But the home side continued to attack, Brian Clifford, Gray Hunt, Mark Stepforth all held either lust short or over the line. Coach Doug Parkin was disappointed not to have both League points but one is better than none.
Man of the Match was Mathew Robinson sponsored by Steve Rigby Building Contractor Southport.
Next game Saturday 12th October away at Henshan Atoms Morecombe.
