Unfortunately it's slowly but surely becoming the norm, with late cry offs and unavailabilities. The 16 lads who travelled to Southport didn't have the best start but were sure to make up for it in the second half with an impressive gutsy performance.

A nasty early shoulder injury to Simpkin led to Fleetwood having to use their only sub in the first five minutes and a reshuffle in the pack that caused some confusion with lads having to play out of position.

After 30 minutes of constant bombardment and some questionable refereeing decisions going against them, Fleetwood found themselves 5 tries down. The lads psyched each other up, determined not to go home without any points on the score board. The forwards started using aggressive pick and goes to great affect. Fleetwood, slowly but surely made it to the Southport try line.

After being stripped on the line, 'Port tried to boot the ball down the pitch, but the kicker spooned it skywards, allowing winger Wilson the simple job of catching the ball and scoring. Pearce with the conversion.

HT 31 - 7

Fleetwood continued to show their new found dominate ways and scored two further tries. Despite Playing in the backs, Chris Jones showed his true forward colours and scored two crash ball tries. Pearce made a further conversion.

FT 45 - 19

It was difficult to pick any positives out the first half. The lads were clearly still on the bus, not quite knowing that they were playing a game of rugby. Afterwards there was a great improvement. The team seem to have been slow learners this year, but if we start like we did every week teams will punish us. Work is required in training to extend the fantastic last 50 minutes into a full 80.

There were good performances in the forwards from new nautical lads Rocks and Scarisbrick. Tom Watson had a good showing out of position playing at 8. In the backs Jones and Wilson took their tries well, Pearce is growing in confidence, Kirton played his usual game and young Christiansen had a good first game for the 2s.

On balance Man of the Match was Phil Wood, for his good direct runs, being a nusisance around the breakdown and putting up with Sam Pook in the front row all afternoon.

Speaking of Hooker Pook. He brought a young lady to watch him play. You would of thought he would of upped his game for her, but sadly his line outs were the same as usual and his banter continues to show no improvement. Scarisbrick had his work cut out for him in the line outs catching the ball trying to make Pook look good.

Fleetwood Host Eccles 2s next week at Melbourne Avenue. 3pm KO.

Team

15. Christansen; 14. Beavers; 13. Platter; 12. Jones; 11. Wilson; 10. Pearce; 9. Kirton; 1. Wood; 2. Pook; 3. Foden; 4. Simpkin; 5. Rocks; 6. Taziker; 7. Sacrisbrick; 8. Watson; 16. Gregson.

Fleetwood RUFC

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Competition

League position

Login