This weekend, we welcome Southport to Rivacre Road. Those supporters who follow the 1st XV will surely agree that our game at Waterloo Road last November was the best game they have seen this season. In a high scoring contest, in which Saints led until the last few minutes, Southport emerged triumphant, 43-38. If the sides produce another exciting encounter, both sets of supporters will be well satisfied.

The teams are close in the league; Southport are currently seventh and we are fifth. Of their twenty games, they have won eight, drawn one and lost eleven so far. However, this is a false impression because they lost six of their first seven games in September and October. Their only victory in the first few months was against Saints’ opponents last week, Sefton.

In contrast, Southport were unbeaten in November and won six games in a row before a narrow loss to Glossop ended their winning streak. They are one of only two sides to have beaten Rochdale this season. Ironically, they have lost all games since, at Sefton and Manchester and Tarleton. Last week they lost to visitors, Aspatria, 12-13.

Saints have only lost one at home this season and Southport’s away record is not impressive. They have only won two games on the road since September, but any speculation is unwise as this is a side that do not give up, despite the odds against them. If in doubt, ask anyone who was at Waterloo Road last November.

Saints expect a lively, free-flowing game and hope that they can avenge that reverse last autumn.
It promises to be an intriguing contest.