Win or bust for Littleborough Rugby Union Club senior men's team

Ben Irving, Littleborough Rugby Union Club

Going into the final game of an enthralling season this weekend, Littleborough Rugby Union Club senior men's team need nothing but a bonus point win to give them a realistic chance of being crowned champions.

A play-off spot against a team from Cumbria has already been guaranteed and has been for a few weeks, with a current 19 point separation between second placed Littleborough and third place side Burnley. However, the top spot is what they crave.

Littleborough go into this weekend's game at North Manchester knowing that if they win with a four try bonus point then they will have done all they can to take the title.
Last week's setback defeat at Boro's closest title rivals Trafford MV meant the title race will be much tighter affair that it should have been and will go right down to wire.

North Manchester have no pressure on themselves to get the win as they dwindle in 11th after enduring a miserable season, but are guaranteed safety from the drop.

The Moston based outfit have also found themselves on the end of two heavy defeats in recent weeks by teams - Garstang and most recently Hutton - and will not want a repeat of the hammering they received from Littleborough at Rakewood, where Boro put 115 points on their opponents in a one-sided encounter.

North Manchester do have the ability to spring a surprise on the top sides in the league at Victoria Avenue, having done so against Tarleton this season and Littleborough will have to be going all out to ensure that this is a weekend to remember rather than a weekend to forget.

Littleborough Seconds take on Merseyside outfit De La Salle Seconds at Rakewood on Saturday in the first of a busy match schedule. They play three games in the space of seven days, with a trip to Aldwinians Seconds next Wednesday before a visit from the league table toppers Fylde the following Saturday.

Boro will be looking to avenge the defeat suffered at the hands of De La Salle earlier in the season when going down 34-28, while also trying to end a two game losing spell to finish the season on a high.

Both teams have an outside chance of sneaking into the play-offs but are relying on other results favouring them. Hence, Saturday's clash will be more about who can finish the higher, with De L Salle just a point behind in fifth having played two games more.