A promising start

The 1st XV arrived at Millgate lane to find porter loos on their pitch and the skeleton of a stage being erected outside of the changing rooms. With the second team pitch hastily marked out as both sides warmed up preparations could have been somewhat smoother and may well explain Bedians slow start to the match.

Two early penalties gave Southport a 6-0 advantage before Bedes finally found their feet. Good strong aggressive play from the forwards, typified by big tackling from Chris Hetherington and Daniel Davies and strong ball carrying from Richard Thompson and Jeremy Lefton brought Bedes back into the game. Southport were forced to concede penalties of their own and whilst Rob Oliver pulled the first to the right of the sticks he made amends with the second. 3-6 after half an hour.

Bedians had spoken before the game about setting a platform so that the backs could play to a set game plan and the scrum as a whole was solid with both Shaun O'Rourke and Matthew Keeling fairing well against larger and more experienced opposition.

Whilst Bedians dominated possession for the final ten minutes of the half they were unable to break down a determined Southport defence and went into the break 3-6 down.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Bedians dominating much of the possession. Unfortunately a ten minute spell in which Southport scored 3 tries proved decisive and whilst the introduction of Steve Kingston at 12 proved the spark for a late rally, Bedes were unable to score more than Paul Makinens consolatory try, expertly converted by Rob Oliver.

Although the record books will show that Bedians began the 2010/2011 season with a defeat the performance and refusal to capitulate should be praised. Southport were a side who made the final of this competition last season if not for a few simple errors and high penalty count the result could have been different.

Yes there were clear issues with the lineout and some passing was rusty, but with two more training sessions before the first league game if the same spirit and determination can be continued then a win is just around the corner.