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ANSELMIANS 89 – SOUTHPORT 12
With a warm sunny spring day and dry conditions, Saints welcomed Southport to Eastham for their visit to the new facilities.
Southport were blown away 0-53 when the Saints visited them earlier in the season, and although beaten the score was not a true reflection of the effort put in by the Southport squad.
The game kicked off with a decent crowd watching and things did not bode well for the Southport outfit with Saints scoring 3 converted tries in the first 12 minutes. The first by full-back Andy Cummings, who glided through the Southport backline to score under the posts, closely followed by Captain Will Grabe powering over the line and Tommy banks scoring on the wing.
This spurred Southport on and after a charge down of a clearance kick by Morley the ball was touched down for the first try for Southport.
Shortly after, the Southport full-back exploited a gap in Saint’s defence to score under the posts.
The game was halted a couple of times, with Saints losing both Fred Clark and Tom Gilbert to injury.
Saints dominating scrum allowed Liam Sadler to go over under the sticks for another easy conversion for Morley just before half time.
The second half started much like the first half, with Saints relentless in attack. Nial Cavanagh grabbed a brace and James Whitehouse scoring his first of the game.
This time however Southport were looking tired and unable to lift the tempo of their game. This only spurred on Saints, with Steve Brookes and Dai Morley going over followed by a second and then third try to James Whitehouse for another hattrick.
Saints now showed no mercy even when down to 14 after some minor handbagging. Andy Cummins went in for his second of the game. Tommy banks his second, and Adam Bramall in the corner to finish the game 89-12.
Man of the match went to Andy Cummins, for faultless play, excellent kicking and two tries.
Next week Saints travel to Tarlton for a 3pm kick-off. The Semi-final of the Cheshire Cup is on 13 April at 7.30pm at Birkenhead park under the lights.
Anselmians15 Andrew Cummings14 James Whitehouse13 Thomas Banks12 Brian Atwine11 Adam Bramhall10 David Morley9 Liam Sadler1 Stephen Brooks2 Daniel Salisbury3 Derek Salisbury4 Fred Clark5 Niall Cavanagh6 Jonathan Bonner7 Thomas Gilbert8 William GrabeAnselmians SubsS1 Thomas LockwoodS2 David EdgeS3 Kellum Friday
Southport15 Name withheld14 Jacob Roberts13 Conor Rylands12 Addison Mann11 Sam Lawrenson10 Charles Attis9 Andrew Boland1 Colin Toohey2 Calum Monaghan3 Callum Tootle4 Ewan Thompson5 Cameron Williams6 Jack Cook7 Matthew Croughan8 Gareth LangSouthport SubsS1 Paul HadleyS2 Name withheldS3 Daniel Whalen
Anselmians 1st XV’s next game is away to Tarleton on Saturday 2 April for a 3pm kick-off in the league.
Image credit: Derek Salisbury Snr
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