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Boro aim to play It’s A Knockout

28/ 1/2005

Rugby Union

IT'S knockout football for Littleborough on Saturday afternoon when they travel to face Burnage.

This is one of four matches targeted by Boro coach Lee Durrant as must win games.

If Boro secure the points they will, at the same time, knock Burnage out of the title race.

Burnage are likely to use spoiling tactics. Boro's front eight will hold the key. They have been told to get among the opposition and rough them up so Durrant and his flying back line can exploit the weak back division.

Boro have a couple of injury doubts in Collins (groin) and Blackburn (shoulder). Replacements may have to be drafted in.

FIRST XV (v Burnage away, meet 12.30pm, kick-off 2.30pm): J Maxey, K Naulumatua, C Diggle, S Kolinsau, BL Zoro, L Durrant, G Hutchins, M Murgatroyd, D Greenwood, S Bairstow, M Forden, B Irving, D Lord, P Fino, C Howard, R Mitchell, D Fraternalli, C Collins, M Elvidge.

SECOND XV (v Bolton, away, meet 12.45pm, kick-off 2.15pm): S Codling, S Blackburn, M Keiley, C Duffy, N King, P Doran, A Bairstow, A Bracegirdle, R Bradley, J Bex, M Goggins, M Galvin, A Coles, A Varley, R Chadwick, G Harris, B Reader, E Klieve.

THIRD XV (v Sedgley Park, at home, meet 1pm, kick-off 2.15pm): R Lyndsey, S Kershaw, M Delaney, B Kershaw, R Heap, B Park, B O'Neill, I Murgatroyd, S Rusden, P Reynolds, C Sturidge, G Stansfield, A Sweeney, D Jubb, M Payne, G Sharrocks, P Codling, J Crosby, S Harrins.

STAGS (v Burnage, at home, meet 1.30pm, kick-off 2.30pm): Cry-offs ring Paul Blomfield.

ROCHDALE travel to Warrington today for a league match against one of their oldest rivals.

With a full strength squad available Rochdale should have few problems in taking the points. But they must not be complacent, as the Wire have turned up a few surprises this season.

Andy Tilley gets his first start after a long lay-off and Andy O'Brien comes into the squad.

Rochdale seconds entertain Stockport who can usually be relied on to provide stiff opposition. Rochdale have the players to do the job as Chris Kane and Jonny Mair team up in the centre and John Smith comes in at fullback.

FIRST XV (v Warrington, away, meet club at 12pm): G Barlow, H McDonald, P Johnstone, T Sunderland, A Badenhorst, L Riddle, R Hartley, M Bradwell, D James, G Wellings, M Thomas, A Rowlinson, C Johnson, A Tilley, T Valentyn, A Howarth, A O'Brien, M Duffin.

SECOND XV (v Stockport, home, meet club at 1.15pm): N Sunderland, T Owens, P Swindon, P Atkin, M Mason, N DuToit, J Winterbottom, P Collins, R Japtha, X McKay, J Finnigan, C Kane, J Mair, D Bowers, J Smith, J Finn, K Parry, AN Other.

THIRD XV (v Ashton-on-Mersey, away, meet club 12.30pm): T Taylor, R Bradle, J Smithies, S McGuire, S Candler, S Gudmanson, I Hamilton, Z Ecko, R Baker, J Barton, P Wild, P Horne, A Cooper, C Jones, P Seymour, A Burke, AN Other.

VETERANS (v Heath, away, meet club 12.45pm): As Carded.

LITTLEBOROUGH under nines kicked off the year with a good win over Old Brodeians.

The backs were sharp in attack. Quick running and good passing created scoring opportunities for Adam Clegg, Melissa Dodman, Robert Heath and Jack Simpson.

Matthew Miles provided forward power for the backs to exploit gaps in the visitors' defence.

Jack Whittle had his usual composed game at fullback.

Clegg, who scored his first try of the season, took the player-of-the-match award.