Ormskirk travel to Southport this weekend

Oct 25 2012 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

THIS Saturday heralds the biggest game at Waterloo Road for many a year when local rivals Southport and Ormskirk meet in the Northern Division South Lancs and Cheshire North 2 match of the day.

Admission is free but a special match programme which has been produced is available for purchase, together with other competitions and prizes.

There is an all-day BBQ and SRFCs very own ‘Ruck & Maul’ ale will available.

On paper Ormskirk, sitting in fourth place, would seem to be favourites going into the game, with Southport languishing in the lower half of the table. But a closer examination of the results so far this season suggests that the match could be close.

The story of the season so far for Southport in the league has been one of inconsistency and frustration particularly away from home.

This stemmed from day one when a game which should have won was lost at Dukinfield 25-35, but the side recovered well to dispose of Oldershaw 17-5 in the opening home game. This was followed by an excellent win at Ramsey 20 -16, then an exciting draw at home to Vagabonds 24-24. But the away day blues set in again with a poor defeat at bottom of the table Buxton (10-19), but with arguably the performance of the season the week after in losing by a single point at runaway leaders Sefton (23-24). Another competent display at home then saw off Wallasey 24-12, before last Saturdays reverse at Oswestry 6-24 where the score line ultimately flattered the home side.

By comparison Ormskirk have been much more consistent in beating Moore (57-0), Liverpool Collegiate (23-18), Oldershaw (55-8) at home this year and Marple (41-27) and Ramsey (36-10) on their travels.

Defeats have come at Douglas (10-34) and Dukinfield (16-24) and surprisingly last week at home to Vagabonds (32-34).

It really is a full blown local derby day with Southport II travelling to Green Lane to play Ormskirk II in an early kick-off to allow both sets of players and supporters to travel over.

GRAHAM ELLIS