SOUTHPORT Sandstormers Rugby League Team stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a thrilling last gasp win away to Rylands of Warrington winning 18 to15.

The game started with defenses on top, but a mistake in the Southport defense let Rylands in for a try. Southport then sprung into action and some fine running by Chris Dresher and Steve Tobin saw Southport near Rylands line the ball came out to the left and Robbie Fawcett dove over in the corner, the score was now 4 to 4.

The first half continued with Southport on top and great running from Southport forwards Frank Dunn and Carl Mcardle got the Sandstormers into a great position. Southport then put on a move and Frank Dunn crashed over, this try was converted by Danny Sinclair to break the deadlock in a close call match that was to see a tussle of scoring.

With the Southport side ahead by six, Rylands then stepped up a gear and put tremendous pressure on the Southport defense, but great tackling from Neil Newton and Chris Brownso kept the score line to Southport leading 10 to 4 at half time.

The second half started badly for Southport with Rylands scoring an early try and conversion to leave the scores level. The game then hit a period of deadlock were neither side could break through until Roy Finch Spencer broke through he passed out wide to Mike Hornby who then passed inside to Andy Marriott who was stopped just short of the line, the ball came to the right and Steve Tobin went over in the corner to edge the Sandstormers into the lead.

It was not long before Rylands countered with a try of their own to resume the deadlock and keep the game even almost to the death. Rylands dropped kicked a goal to push a small lead at 15 to14 that almost made the game look safe for a win. 

But from the kick off the Sandstormers managed to get the ball and mounted one last attack and with literally the last play of the game Southport winger Vincent Turner who was suffering a hamstring pull somehow managed to crash over the line to win the game.

A special treat for Rugby Union fans is in store at Waterloo Rugby Club in Crosby this weekend as the club unveils a new part of the ground.

The Merseyside club is to show the England-Australia World Cup game live on a big screen and will give fans an opportunity to witness the opening of the club's new 500-seat stand, in which the event will begin with the eagerly anticipated match between Waterloo and Fylde in the National league Three where the home side has been unbeaten this season.

PEOPLE in Britain work the longest hours in Europe. In the North West alone 422,000 work more than 48 hours a week and it's not through choice. Government figures show that 71% of local workers want to work fewer hours.

The law is meant to give most people a right not to work more than 48 hours a week on average, unless they sign an opt-out from the Working Time Regulations. But the law is widely ignored, and most people do not know their rights. TUC research shows that nearly 36,000 people in the North West have signed an opt-out but were given no choice about doing so, and 266,000 works more than 48 hours a week and have not signed an opt-out.

The TUC launched It's about time campaign in an attempt to address the situation of overwork. Long hours and stress are one of the most common complaints in Britain's workplaces. 

EMAIL US YOUR NEWS & VIEWS TODAY and we will look into them for you.

Southport Reporter is a registered Trade Mark.   Copyright © Patrick Trollope 2003.