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Thirds centre stage at Boro

20/12/2005

Rugby Union
Littleborough 3rd 18
Heaton Moor 2nd 8

LITTLEBOROUGH First XV were without a match on Saturday, after opponents Tarleton failed to show on Saturday afternoon.

And with no first team fixture Littleborough thirds took centre stage at Rakewood.

Despite the difficult conditions - the pitch was starting to freeze - the experienced Boro campaigners defeated a much younger Heaton Moor second team.

The home team used their experience and guile to outwit the visitors, and ran out comfortable winners in an entertaining match.

The result was never in doubt as Heaton Moor had only one breakaway try and a penalty to show for their efforts, as they were defeated 18-8 by Boro.

This is the third time in the past two seasons Tarleton have failed to fulfil a fixture against the Rakewood club.

Tarleton said they only had seven players and couldn't raise a team, which left a nasty taste in Boro coach Lee Durrant's mouth. He had raised a team for all of Boro's game this season, despite a catalogue of injuries.

To make matters worse, the league didn't award Boro the points, but said the game will have to be played at a later date.

Durrant is looking forward to having a full-fit squad after the Christmas break and said: "We have no game until after Christmas when we should have everyone back to full fitness. Hopefully we can put a run of wins together and mount an assault on the title."

It won't be easy with league leaders Old Aldwinians first up after the break, so a battle royal will be on the cards for that encounter.