Saturday saw the firsts hosting the second place team in the league Southport. This was always going to be a tough game and Bowdon needed to be on their game to continue the successes of previous weeks. Also given Big Ricks pre match inspirational choice of music - there would be no fat lady this week - either singing longer or running for that taxi! It was all down to the Lads this week!

With little wind and the sun shining on the Clay all was set for a good game of Rugby. From the kick off it was clear this would be a hard well contested game but the lads seemed up for it! The early skirmishes were hard and for once the penalty count was in our favour. On 7 minutes Southport were again penalised This time just outside their 22 so up popped Jack to slot the ball over the bar giving Bowdon the early lead. 7 minutes later and same again - Southport again penalised and Jack took full advantage to double the lead. Jack seemed to have his kicking boots on - either that or he had borrowed the boots from Moore’s Fullback! Southport got back into the game when Bowdon were penalised in front of their own posts and over flew their penalty - Bowdon 6 – 3 up on 18 minutes.

Southport were still giving away penalties - a high tackle resulting in one of their forwards being given 10 minutes in the bin. Time for the lads to up the anti - but the south port defence was resolute. That was until Luke brown blustered over for the first try on 31 minutes, Jacks trusty boots adding the extras. Southport were soon back up to full compliment, but Bowdon were showing glimpses of what they could do - both backs and forwards running at the opposition and making ground. On 35 minutes the backs set off from a good scrum - Swets taking the ball on before Kane burst through to score near the posts. The kick a mere formality for Jack today.

Half Time Bowdon 20 : 3 Southport.

Four Minutes into the second half and Luke Brown again burst over for his second try - whatever he had for lunch the whole team should have next week! Putting in some great tackles and bursting through the opposition almost at will. Southport were down but not out! On 51 minutes they came back to score an unconverted try. Just after this Darius decided he needed to take a breather! And take 10 minutes under the posts - This gave Southport some heart - but Bowdon also had spirit and some great tackling and strong defence prevented Southport from taking advantage of their man advantage.

With Darius Back on Bowdon decided to turn up the pressure. Swets decided to go for his normal run bouncing a couple of would be tacklers before scoring his usual try, this time Jack pulling his effort wide. Two minutes latter some sparkling play from the whole team resulted in Ben Sutherland scoring a fantastic try. Much appreciated by the home support and any neutrals watching the game. To the credit of Southport they came back and with 6 minutes to go they again scored an unconverted try bringing the score to 39 : 13.

This spurred the home team on with some outstanding attacking play only being outdone by dropped passes with the try line beckoning! With 2 minutes to go Darius made up for his earlier flirtation with the bin, powering over for a try near the posts. The extra’s being added once again. The home support was now a very happy bunch! But the Lads on the park had not finished yet! Time for another try - Luke Brown bursting through then popping a pass to the ever green Martin Gallagher! Could this be 2 tries in the last 2 home games? Alas the badger’s paws let him down, as another chance went begging! From the resulting scrum the Bowdon forwards put on a last bust with Harry Booth going over for a debut try. Jack finishing up with another conversion! Like the last home game the ref blowing up before the restart could be taken!

Final Score Bowdon 53 : 13 Southport.

Man of the Match Luke Brown for his brace as well as his bursting runs and great tackling - an all round great performance. One he liked so much he decided to drink his ‘reward’ not once but twice!