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Littleborough 27 - 11 Old Bedians

7/10/2008

LITTLEBOROUGH chief executive Brian Hurst, not one to hand out praise without justification, described this win over Old Bedians as a "superlative performance." With forwards winning ball and backs making full use of possession, every player contributed to a fine win, and the gloss was only taken off in the last three minutes when Mark Murgatroyd was taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle.

From the kick off the visitors stormed into Littleborough’s five metres, almost scoring until the ball was spilled with the line in sight. The home defence held firm, with Chris Park outstanding in the tackle, and Bedians went away with only three points from a drop goal. When they pressed again Andy Walton cleared Boro’s lines.

Solid forward running by backs Tom Galvin and David Kearns paved the way for Boro’s opening try. Forwards Chris Collins and Robert Chadwick continued the charge and Mark Elvidge went over, though the conversion was missed.

Winger Adam Wayne notched the next try after some excellent approach play from the home side, but again the conversion was missed.

With a strong wind at their backs in the second half Littleborough took the game to the visitors, earning a penalty deep in Bedians’ territory which was dispatched by Walton before Elvidge finished off a good move with his second try.

Boro were producing their best rugby of the season to date and the crowd showed their delight when strong running from David Kearns led to their fourth try.

Bedians pulled a try back but it came too late to affect the result, and following a tussle on the visitors’ five-metre line Stuart Bairstow crossed for Walton to convert.

Littleborough: Galvin, Ripley, Kearns, Mill, Wayne, Walton, Park, Irving, Elvidge, Austin Reader, Collins, Chadwick, Bairstow, Klieve, Murgatroyd, Pollitt, Dearden.

Littleborough Junior Colts beat West Park St Helens 11-5 with out-half Nathan Ripley scoring a try and Ross Coates converting two penalties.

The second XV edged a close contest against Vale of Lune, winning 17-15 after being 15-0 down at the break. Tries came from Chris Kolbuck and Greg Stansfield.

The third XV were beaten 41-10 by Didsbury Toc H.

In the first round of the under 13s Lancashire Cup, Littleborough beat Eccles 12-5. The forwards were well drilled and, led by a dominant Josh Greenwood, secured good ball for the backs to exploit. Matthew Miles was excellent and made some good runs, gaining valuable yards for Boro before a typical jinking run saw him score the first try. Jack Simpson converted.

Eccles came back after the break. Man of the match Harry Geldard and Tom Scott were strong in defence, but Eccles did score in the corner to keep up the pressure. The result was secured when Greenwood crashed over.