Southport Rugby Club will return to the serious business of winning league matches on Saturday, when Shane Cook will lead out the 1st XV against Parkonians at Waterloo Road, kick-off 2:15pm. Their position at the top of the league table is not quite as secure as it was at the beginning of December, but a solid home win should give them the confidence to move ahead in the new year, with several of the injured players now recovered. The pack looks as strong as ever, with Andy Ritchie and John Gillow back in the front row with Darren Hunter. Mike Dale moves into the second row alongside George Baumber, and Janus Lamprecht returns to the backrow. Andy Boland continues at scrumhalf, and Richard Neve’s strong running on the wing will revitalise the threequarter line. Steve Wallace will be at fullback, and the home crowd can expect to see his blistering pace injected into the attack.
Southport have beaten Parkonians twice so far this season, so nothing less than a convincing win will satisfy the ageless experts on the touchline.
The second team are also battling for promotion, and are currently second in their Miller league. An away game against Sedgeley Park III, who beat Rik Potter’s team 17-8 at Waterloo Road in November, will be tough, but the team looks strong enough. Jason Keating, the top try scorer, continues at No8 although his promotion to the senior team cannot be far away.
David Merrills will take his 3rdXV to Ormskirk for the first time this season, with the usual selection of young hopefuls and experienced veterans.
Gordon Jackson
Selections for Saturday 6th January 2007
1st XV-v-Parkonians
Home, K.O. 2:15pm. Meet 12:45pm.
D.Hunter, A.Ritchie, J.Gillow, G.Baumber, M.Dale, J.Lamprecht, P.Halsall, N.Fellows, A.Boland, C.Greenhalgh, R.Neve, S.Cook, O.Brown, D.Hubbard, S.Wallace. Subs: I Whitaker, R.Aitkenhead, G.Lang
2nd XV -v- Sedgeley Parl III
Away, K.O. 2:15pm. Meet 12:15pm.
P.Bruce, A.Parkinson, M.Purnell, S.Parr, H.Brain, D.Congdon, D.Gairn, J.Keating, B.Swinson, A.Watts, A.Little, M.Jones, J.Roberts, A.Kenny, R.Potter. Subs: S.Hunter, P.Daley, C.Little
3rd XV – Cancelled
J.Coutney, P.Pavier, S.Reid, D.Merrills, P.Smith, G.Suthren, M.Garner-Jones, M.Astwood, C.Clode, A.Ball, P.Causey, T.Tarbuck, L.Summerfield, M.Watson, M.Mawdesley, R.Stichbury, B.Sillito, D.Kirkbride, T.Donnelly, S.Comer, V.Nortje + others
