Glossop RUFC stun league leaders

Glossop pulled off a stunning victory against league leaders Southport on Saturday to extend their winning run to four games.

On a wet day and claggy pitch both sides struggled to gain dominance and opted with kicking for territory, given the conditions. 

The only score of the first half fell to the Merseyside visitors on the stroke of half time, with a penalty for offside, slotted to see them lead 3-0. 

Immediately after the break, Southport extended their lead with a further penalty to push ahead 6-0. 

Things now looked ominous for Glossop, when after a period of sustained pressure, the beefy Southport pack eventually cracked the resolute home defence and drove over for a converted try to lead 13-0.

 Glossop now have a belief and tenacity about them that was missing earlier in the season and they stormed back with a try of their own through Jon Tennant after a break from the scrum from No 8 Raine to reduce the score to 5-13. 

The reliable boot of Dearnaley further reduced the deficit to 7-13. 

Glossop’s scrum and lineout are now much more secure than earlier in the season and that extra possession saw them applying pressure of their own. 

This eventually proved profitable, as abrasive flanker Danny Morris scooted over and with the conversion missed, Glossop were just one point behind at 12-13.

The Hillmen eventually took what was a decisive lead through replacement Ben Dearing, who cooly slotted a penalty to finally push ahead 15-13. 

Southport, game until the end, came back strong and forced a penalty of their own which they missed though. 

On the stroke of full time, the visiting kicker had one last chance to steal it for Southport but his kick fell short and Glossop claimed a stunning scalp with a 15-13 victory. 

Skipper Zak Round was “proud of his team for sticking with it and not capitulating” and had special  praise for Man of the Match, the versatile Tennant, who was a telling force in both defence and attack. 

Next week Glossop host Leigh and will be looking to extend their current impressive run of wins.