ON a day when Southport proudly celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of their club, it didn’t seem quite right that LSH went on to spoil the party with a clinical display to win 29-7 and remain on top of Lancashire/Cheshire Counties One.
They did so after a brilliant curtain raiser between the two clubs' mini/junior sides, followed by the senior players walking out each accompanied by a young player. A small gesture but massive in its impact.
The game itself was a stop-start affair in the early stages with LSH on the receiving end of a litany of kickable penalties, achieved through a strong display from a co-ordinated pack.
Matty Wood converted four of them to give LSH a 12-0 lead by the half hour mark.
Both sides were keen to play attacking rugby and both went close three times each, only for the whistler to rule each attempt held up.
The Moss Laners then produced a crucial score, seconds before half time, when flanker Connor Thompson crashed over after a well-worked lineout. The try was converted for a 19-point lead.
The second half continued to entertain, producing three tries, the first of which came from scrum half Alex McClurg capping a fine performance, weaving his way over the line in the 52nd minute.
Southport hit back with a try on the hour mark, before winger Jake Dickinson finished off the best move of the match with a try in the right hand corner.
LSH travel to Warrington on Saturday, 2.15pm kick-off.
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