Oldham Thirds 19 - 76 Littleborough RUFC Thirds

Photo: Jackie Meredith

Nathan Coop, Littleborough Rugby Union Club

Littleborough thirds triumphed with a convincing 76-19 win over local rivals Oldham thirds in the second of the double header.

Littleborough came into the game as favourites given their higher league position (third compared to seventh) and the fact that they had just four days previously taken all four points with a 26-10 win at home against Oldham.

Boro lived up to the favourites tag scoring 14 tries, many of which were of high quality in a relentless show of strength and skill.

Oldham started better, scoring a try from long range as the Oldham outside centre made use of a dogleg in defence to sprint clear, injuring himself in the process as Coop made a valiant attempt to cut him down - he amost succeeded but the Oldham defender wriggled over. The conversion had somewhat of a cruel comedy feel, smacking first the right then the left hand post before bouncing out.

Boro came right back as Jonathan Land pounced on a loose pass to stroll in unopposed for one of the easiest tries he will ever score.

Oldham replied immediately as their inside centre cut through 10 metres as the Boro defence prematurely shot out of the line.

Determined to not let Oldham dominate and edge ahead, full back Nathan Coop scored the first of his hat-trick of tries, adding the finishing touches to a powerful run from Jack Whittles to dive down in the right hand corner.

With the teams now level after a frantic opening 12 minutes, Littleborough moved through the gears dominating the majority of possession and cutting through Oldham ruthlessly at will.

Jason Clegg bulldozed his way through a six-man Oldham wall from a quick tap penalty 15 metres out before Anthony Stephenson stepped his fly half counterpart on the inside to dot down under the posts.

The Boro onslaught didn't slow as scores from Land and a brace from Coop ensured Littleborough went into the break with a comfortable of half time lead.

Land scored his second as he cut right through the heart of the defence 20 metres out.

Coop  relied on the handling ability of his teammates as he collected another outside pass from the centres to stroll in for an easy second try. His hat trick owed much to the kindness of Land who fed Coop to dot down next to the right hand upright in a try that Land could easily have scored if he had been 20 years younger.

As the sunlight set and the moon began to shine, Oldham were shell shocked by the way in which the first half had turned from a 12-7 lead into a 12-46 deficit.

Littleborough  continued to break the gain line and consistently moved the point of attack, meaning Oldham were having to cover more ground and the tiredness was having an effect as Littleborough ran in another three tries.

Adam Browne then Jack Whittles scampered through a gap in the outside centre channel to score, Browne exchanging passes with Coop before dotting down for his first try since coming back from Injury. A try that more than made up for the first half knock on inches from the try line.

Substitute Jordan Turner got in on the act, adding the final finish to a flowing backs move before Browne scored a quick second half brace. The inside centre utilised space in the outside centre channel to race clear. His hat trick try owed much to the cross field kick from Stephenson and chase from Turner, Godwin and Browne, as the latter seized upon the loose ball and took the Boro tally past 70 points.

Boro still had time for one last try from another substitute. Prop Murphy Holt taking advantage of a turnover on the Oldham try line to squeeze over and ensure Littleborough would travel home in high spirits.