LIVERPOOL St Helens registered a convincing victory against previously unbeaten Southport, despite never really hitting top gear.

What would have pleased coach Andy Northey just as much as the score line was the steely defence LSH offered up as they played a fair portion of the game with 14, and even 13 men.

LSH asserted their dominance from the off when some neat ball retention from the kick off allowed playmaker Filson, who had an excellent game, to jink his way through several defenders from 20 yards out to ghost in under the posts.

After converting his own score, Filson then knocked over a penalty to make it 10-0. Southport then had a sustained period of pressure attacking the LSH line and chose on at least two occasions to turn down the easy 3 points on offer for richer rewards. However, they were denied on each attempt and much to the agony of the away support, LSH delivered a real sucker punch with a further Filson penalty followed by a trademark Hodson scything run, outpacing everyone to score under the sticks, 20-0.

Undeterred, Southport came straight back on the attack and again pressurised the LSH line for at least ten minutes. LSH’s resolve finally cracked but only after Stanley and then Molyneux had been sent to the bin for separate offences. Southport, with their two-man advantage, worked the play down the left flank then switched with a beautifully weighted cross-field kick to give the right winger a simple catch to score – unconverted 20-5. Unfortunately for Southport they must have thought the half time whistle would’ve followed their score, but it didn’t.

LSH regathered the kick off and the ball was eventually worked to McClurg who bore down on the try line only to be held, illegally, and from the resultant penalty scrum (time up meant no line out was able to be taken), captain Wilson picked up from the back and darted in at the corner to score a deserved try, unconverted. H/T 25 – 5.

The second half was a tale of two halves.

The first 20 minutes belonged entirely to LSH who scored two exquisite tries and two penalties to put the game to bed. Before that though Filson had a certain try disallowed when a skirmish in back play caused the referee to blow up just before he touched down.

After sin binning a player from either side, the ref then gave a penalty to LSH. Despite not getting his try Filson knocked it over, 28 – 5. From the kick off LSH scored arguably the try of the game came as Fryer, returning from his enforced break, collected a high ball under pressure and bundled his way through defenders before offloading to the supporting Kean. Filson was in support to collect a neat pass to run in from distance. Try converted 35 – 5.

LSH’s final try of the match came from the kick off again. Once more Fryer collected the ball and neat hands through the backline saw Stanley muscle his way through a small gap. Three Southport players hung off him as he delivered a telling offload to the ever willing Hodson, who had too much strength and speed from half way, to score under the posts again, converted and followed by a penalty, 45 – 5.

The last 20 minutes was a bit of a dour affair and with changes on either side, the game became a bit disjointed. Only a converted try for the visitors, deserved, troubled the scoreboard.

This week LSH are at home to Widnes. Kick off 3pm.