'Park's 12 try romp overwhelms Southport!

In perfect conditions Broughton Park overwhelmed Southport sharing twelve tries between backs and forwards.

After 9 minutes 'Park used a well rehearsed line out move from which they have scored many tries this season to score another wide out through hooker Danny Lycett. Ronan O'Brien taking over the kicking duties from absent Steve O'Connor narrowly missed the conversion. On 14 minutes big 2nd row Mark Poole emerged from a succession of rucks and some poor tackling from the Southport defence allowed him to score near the posts, Ronan O'Brien converted to make the score 12 - 0 after 14 mins.

'Park were down to 14 men for 10 minutes when Paul Luke was sin binned for persistent off-side. During this time Southport were awarded a penalty try, which was converted, for pulling down a maul near to the 'Park line. 12 - 7 after 19 mins. One minute later 'Park had a try disallowed because prop Geoff Kendell was ruled to have had a foot in touch. 2 minutes later slick inter passing between lock Mark Poole and No.8 John Clifford allowed prop Andy O'Grady to score near the posts. Ronan O'Brien converted. 19 - 7 after 21 mins.

After an initial break by flanker Dave Rodgers, good backing up between backs and forwards saw hooker Danny Lycett get his 2nd converted try of the afternoon making the score 26 - 7 after 28 minutes. 'Park now were nearly on course for a point per minute.

Southport's big forwards were matching 'Park at this stage with their driven mauls and anything near the 'Park line looked dangerous. It was no surprise when they scored an unconverted try from a driven maul after John Clifford had given away an obvious penalty for being offside.

Just before half time the backs and forwards again combined with the ball going through many pairs of hands for eventually hooker Danny Lycett to score his third try of the afternoon. At half time the score was 34 - 12.

Straight from the kick off a Southport player knocked the ball into lock John Knight's hands who took the ball nearly to the line where the other lock Mark Poole was waiting outside to score near the corner. After less than 1 minute of the 2nd half the score was now 41 - 12.

After 2 mins, stand in out half Joe Wykes got the backline under way for Ben O'Brien to beat his opposite winger and then pass inside to centre Steve Newton who scored under the posts. 48 - 12.

10 minutes went by without a score when winger Ben O'Brien made a good long run down the wing nearly to the line to pass inside to his brother Ronan who scored near the posts. 55 - 12 after 18 mins of 2nd half.

Three try scorer Danny Lycett took a knock and was dazed and had to come off to be replaced by Steve Nicholas. Despite this set back 'Park continued to score almost at will and lock Mark Poole also made his try count three by going over in the corner from a lineout. 62 - 12 after 24 mins.

A classic back move all along the back line saw full back Ronan O'Brien come into the line to pass to his brother Ben who scored near the corner. Ronan converted making the score 69 - 12 after 27 mins of 2nd half.

Super sub, veteran, Ian Maclure was on for less than 30 secs when he broke off from a maul and scored near the posts for Ronan O;Brien to convert making the score 76 - 12 after 31 mins.

Ronan O'Brien scored an individual try with a jinking run from his own 22 metre line after the Southport backs made a mistake in the 'Park 22. making the score 81 - 12 after 38 mins of 2nd half.

The best individual effort of the afternoon was Ronan O'Brien's brilliant run from inside his own half where he ran in every direction forwards, backwards and side to side to eventually score under the posts, unfortunately the Referee disallowed it saying he had used members of his own team to shield him from a tackle (crossing).

A fine all round performance with the forwards shading the try count. Forwards Mark Poole 3, Danny Lycett 3, Andy O'Grady 1, Ian Maclure 1 and backs Ben O'Brien 2, Ronan O'Brien 1 and Steve Newton 1. Top scorer was stand in kicker, Ronan O'Brien with one try, 9 conversions and a penalty making 26 points in all.

'Park are now equal top of the table with Rochdale, 3rd and 4th are former leaders Leigh and Wilmslow . 'Park's next three home games are against Rochdale, Leigh and Wilmslow so their promotion destiny is in their own hands. They also have two difficult away games against teams who have only lost once at home this season Wirral and Hoylake.