LIVERPOOL St Helens put last week’s reverse at Anselmians well behind them with a bonus point victory over a well-supported Southport at Moss Lane on Saturday.

Despite a growing injury list LSH fielded a strong side with the returning Jake Hodson on the wing, Alex McClurg again claiming the number 12 jersey and the talismanic Phil Kearns answering the call.

LSH started well.

Three tries in the opening twenty minutes signalled their intent with the visitors struggling to maintain possession.

Jake Hodson announced his arrival in the seventh minute after a speedy break from Darren Wilson left him with a good run around the last defender to touch down.

Five minutes later LSH were a touch fortunate when Dan Filson cleverly hung onto an interception to outpace everyone from 45 yards to score, before converting the try.

With Kearns in man of the match form and seemingly leading every attack, the LSH pack made regular inroads into Southport territory.

After one such sortie Hodson broke through the middle and managed to get his pass away to McLurg who neatly did the rest to give LSH a 17-0 lead.

Southport however were not prepared to let LSH have it all their own way and gradually worked into the game, putting pressure on LSH and earning a few penalties.

From one of them a kick to touch led to an attack bringing a try wide on the right.

This in turn brought a momentum change to the game and after more pressure the visitors reduced the arrears further after a swift move along the back line to leave the game finely poised 17-10 at half time.

An even twenty minutes ensued with both sides working hard to create chances before Southport levelled the scores in the 64rd minute after a cross field kick to complete an excellent fight back.

By now the Moss Lane Faithful were wondering what was to come next.

Where was the team that had shot out of the traps and scored three times in the first quarter?

They got their answer six minutes later after a sustained attack on the Southport line was going nowhere until skipper Darren Wilson launched himself at the try-line only to be felled by a high tackle, bringing the award of a penalty try. 24-17.

The win was made secure by an excellent 60 yard solo effort from Hodson, converted by Filson, 31-17.

Mentioned in despatches this week are young flanker Sam Ward racking up a high number of tackles and now making a regular contribution and full back Alex Kean who had a busy and influential game.

This week LSH are away at Tyldesley. 3pm.