Sedgley Park 8 - 14 Littleborough RUFC

Josh Ellidge, Littleborough RUFC 14 - 8 Sedgley Park

Littleborough travelled the short distance to Sedgley Park anticipating the usual competitive game having won the home reverse by one point a month earlier.

Even from the initial exchanges, it was clear that the game was going to be a hard battle with physicality abounded both in the tight and in the open.

The first significant action came from an unlikely source as it was the Sedgley loosehead who set off on a charge from inside his own half and was only stopped deep inside the Boro 22 by a combination of Nathan Coop and Alex Sutcliffe.

Boro had an opportunity to trouble the scoreboard, however Coop’s penalty drifted just wide of the far post, after Sedgley were penalised for not rolling away at the ruck.

Following another offside penalty against Boro at the breakdown, Sedgley took the lead.

Clever play by Howard fainting down the blindside from a scrum just inside the Sedgley half, put Aaron Jones away with an excellent pass, the winger beat three men and was eventually tackled only five yards short. The overeager Boro pack were penalised for going off their feet in trying to secure quick ball, and the opportunity was gone.

A brave tackle by Howard on the rampaging Sedgley loosehead brought a clash of heads with both players leaving the field for blood. Howard was able to return, but the Sedgley player wasn't due to requiring stitches.

As half time approached Boro had a two man advantage but were unable to capitalise.

Late arrivals boosted Sedgley back to 15 players.

Boro were starting to knock on the door with strong running from all the forwards, coupled with excellent defence and maul tackles by Rushden, Sutcliffe and Godwin regular occurrences.

The breakthrough came from a mistake and excellent individual play from Lawlor. Boro pushed for the line with Dickinson and Mill allowing Howard to release the backline. With the defence up quickly the ball was spilled in the centre, however Lawlor was quick to pick up the ball and scooted around the back before stepping back inside the fullback to send Sharrocks under the sticks. Coop easily slotted the extras.

A second try followed in similar circumstances. Lawlor seeing that the defence was up quickly again stepped inside and went alone, throwing off the four man drift defence as he went under the sticks. Coop again added the conversion.

For the next 20 minutes the game was mainly played in the middle of the field with Boro pinning Sedgley into their own half and Coop showing excellent full back skills with a variety of kicking when called upon to keep Sedgley at arm’s length.

Sedgley scored the last points of the day. Boro defended a lineout but following a number of subsequent drives the pressure told with the Sedgley flanker going over in the corner, despite Dickinson’s desperate attempt at a last ditch tackle. The conversion, although an excellent attempt, was missed from the touchline.