Following the defeat at Ormskirk last week, Carnforth were keen to get back to winning ways with a trip to Southport. Again skipper Shane Weed was hampered with players unavailable - this week saw Jason Short, Jason Waterhouse, Brad Wheatman and Olly Murray amongst others missing from the squad. In came another production of the Edmondsons with Sam making his club debut on the wing alongside brother Jack. Shaun Hodgson and Sam Tomlinson returned to the front row, Archie Rich came in alongside Dan Shepherd in the second row with Dan Blenkharn returning at number 8. Nick Hamer made a welcome return to stand off with Nathan OConnor at full back.
On a decent pitch which had held up well despite the weather during the week Carnforth ran in 8 tries, all converted - Mathew Short led the way with 34 points - 4 tries and 7 conversions with OConnor also adding a hat-trick of superbly taken tries.
However Carnforth did not have all their own way, Southport used their big forwards well and for the opening 15 minutes they kept Carnforth pinned back, after the lacklustre performance at Ormskirk last week the defence stood up to their task this week and kept the hosts at bay despite their great efforts. Joe Harrison, Weed and Tomlinson all dug in and these 3 have been stalwarts of the team throughout the season, Harrison playing centre, flanker and his favoured position of prop.
Blenkharn thought he had given his team the lead but play was brought back, Port cleared but the ball fell to OConnor who cut a superb line to run through to score the opening try, Short converted. Port hit back with a penalty to reduce the score. 2 minutes later and a 2nd try was scored, OConnor made the break, half backs Donald Haddow and Hamer linked before Sam Edmondson scooped up to make a superb break to cut back inside and score on debut, Short converted. Short then got his first try of the day as he took an interception on half way to score under the posts, also converting.
Port hit back again and the defence worked overtime with Blenkharn, Hodgson, Rich and Tomlinson again stopping the line from being breached. On the stroke of half time it was Short again who weaved his way through the defence to score his second of the half, conversion good and a half time lead of 28 - 3.
The second half started like the first with the hosts keeping Carnforth pegged back, Hodgson taking a card for the team as he earned a 10 minute break on the naughty step. This did not keep Carnforth down and after great work by Tom, Short and Edmondson it was OConnor who was able to fire through for a try, Short converting. Carnforth used their subs with Matti Davenport and Phil Metcalfe both getting decent game time.
The try of the game came next, Southport cleared the ball and OConnor was able to pick up just inside his own 22, no danger to the Southport defence from there, he went at the defence and was able to break clear before going on a run up the pitch with a superb inside/outside/inside/outside run before bamboozling the home full back to score his hat trick of tries, Short converting. Not to be outdone it was Short who grabbed his hat trick next when he was able to burst through the line for a try, another conversion sailing over.
The final score came when Blenkharn and Hamer linked to allow Short to go through and despite the efforts of the defence the centre was able to touch down for his 4th try of the game - Haddow converting.
Credit to Southport, they refused to buckle and still they came at Carnforth with the spirited attacking and forward play - their efforts maybe deserved a try but the defence was on top form and kept them out to record a 56 - 3 victory - a victory that moves us back into the top 2 in Division 3 North.
This week sees our last game of 2016 as we entertain Burnley 2nds followed by the Xmas Social do.
Man of the Match - Mathew Short