Everything is Green and Gold

The early signs were positive, stand in fly half Skelton was making breaks at will with forwards and backs combining to put Southport on the back foot. Eventually the pressure told as number 8 Smith crashed through to score, Bowker was making some excellent runs down the wing. With the score at 5-0 Fleetwood upped the tempo, the forwards opting for an aggressive pick and go style, the front row of Jackson, Foden and Gregson all creating nuisance with ball in hand. In the backs, the centre pairing of Fuller and Maddern were making their presence felt particularly in the tackle and drive forward they offered to their supporting players. The next try came following yet another break from the base of the scrum by Smith, the eventual recipient Skelton touching down, a missed conversion and that was half-time, 10-0 up.

The green and golds turned the screw in the second half with scrum half Howe asking for more intensity from his forwards, they responded with wave after wave of attacking rugby, second row Watson smashing over to score, 15-0. Shortly after Fuller was shown a yellow card for retaliation after a kick to the head, and not to miss out Smith followed him to the bin following a verbal exchange with the referee. Even though it was now 13 against 14 Fleet continued to use the effective tactic of the rolling maul, Jackson barged his way over making it 20-0. To round things off nicely, skipper Foden was next to score a try from close range, Jackson this time adding the extras to make it 27-0, full time.

Overall, Manager Jefferson and Coach Holme were exceptionally pleased with the performance, an aggressive display from forwards and backs alike. To single out a man of the match would be difficult, of the backs winger Birks made plenty of metres with ball in hand, Maddern had a solid game, Skelton showed his skills and dominated his opposite man. Forwards wise, it was fair to say they operated as a well drilled unit, possibly Jackson and Smith the stand out players.

Next week Fleet are back on the road again, this time heading for Leigh.

Report by Dan Jefferson