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Littleborough 76 - 7 Blackpool

15/ 4/2008

THERE were celebrations before and after Littleborough’s home game against Blackpool on Saturday.

Prior to kick-off, club president Stan Collier hosted a meeting and lunch for past presidents and vice-presidents to mark the purchase of the Rakewood ground and discuss future issues.

And, after 80 minutes of top quality rugby the team were able to celebrate 12 tries and a comfortable victory over their visitors.

With the weather fine and sunny Littleborough opted for a running game with kicking kept to the minimum.

Blackpool missed an early opportunity, before scrum half Chris Kolbuck broke on the blindside from a scrum to score Boro’s opening try.The second soon followed as lovely ball handling between forwards and backs saw Mark Elvidge cross the line.

Boro were on full throttle and Doug Holbrook joined the line to score.

Scott Ripley was on the end of a flowing move by the threequarters to touch down, and Mark Murgatroyd was rewarded for his hard work as he scored a fifth.

Ripley was again prominent as another silky run by him set up Ben Irvine for a try. On the stroke of half time, Littleborough switched off, sloppy defence allowing the Blackpool centre in for a converted try.

After the break, the Boro forwards regained the initiative and a strong drive by Mark Forden resulted in a try for Brook Reader.

The try scorer then turned provider as he slipped the ball to Irving to score his second.The hosts then turned on the style and winger David Kearns picked up at the back of a ruck and dived in for a try.

The try of the match saw out half Andy Walton – more noted for his kicking – hit the accelerator pedal, spring 50 yards and sidestep the fullback for a magnificent try. The final try went to Sam Dickinson following good work from Kolbuck and Elvidge.

This was an excellent team performance by Boro.

Squad: David Holbrook, Mark Murgatroyd, Paul Jones, Scott Ripley, Eddie Klieve, Chris Collins, Tom Galvin, Stuart Bairstow, Ross Dearden, Paul Fino, Mark Forden, David Kearns, Sam Dickinson, Andy Walton, Brook Reader, Chris Kolbuck, Mark Elvidge, Ben Irvine.