AN error-strewn display by the visitors gave a home grown Southport side an unexpected victory and five valuable league points.

The home side opened the scoring within minutes of the start of the game, charging down an attempted clearance to give a simple score, the try being converted by full back Jake Mann.

The visitors were soon back on even terms however, moving the ball across the backs for full back Lee Rosney to feed young winger Ryan Littler who finished without difficulty, Rosney converting from wide out.

Almost immediately from the restart West Park to added to their score as neat interplay between Rosney and winger Matt Appleton provided an opportunity for a supporting flanker Matt Cozens to post, a try which Rosney duly converted to give the visitors the lead.

All looked set for Park to increase their lead on several occasions, but a series of unenforced errors and an occasional misjudgements kept the home side in the game, and another charged down clearance close to their own line gifted Southport a further try which Jake Mann

had no trouble converting from in front of the posts to level the scores. On the stroke of half time Southport took the lead from loose play, the ball transferred quickly to the wing to cross wide out for an unconverted try.

Putting a sloppy first half behind them, the visitors started the the second half confidently, and took the lead after a powerful run by centre Josh Ainsworth saw him score under the posts, a try which Rosney duly converted.

A penalty converted in front of the opposition’s posts by Mann put the home side a single point in front, and once again Park’s poor attempt to force the game, only resulted in gifting Southport a fourth try from an interception, initially after another charged down clearance, and although not converted, it gave them a

six point cushion and an assured bonus point.

The visitors continued to contribute heavily to their own downfall, and as the match drew to a conclusion, they conceded a further try, the home side transferring the ball competently across the line for the wing to score wide out, and although the conversion was missed, Park’s opportunity for a bonus point was lost.

West Park will have to seriously study and eliminate the deficiencies displayed, and reinforce their belief in themselves for next week’s fixture which sees them entertain Tyldesley at Red Rocks