Aldwinians Seconds 10 - 20 Littleborough RUFC Seconds

Thomas Mills, Littleborough Rugby Union Club

A remarkable back to the wall defensive display saw Littleborough Rugby Union Club Seconds withstand 40 minutes of non-stop attack from Aldwinians Seconds that subsequently steered Boro to victory.

The first 30 minutes of Wednesday evening's match had Littleborough in full control as they racked up two converted close range efforts from Josh Ellidge and then Thomas Mills. Nathan Coop continued a 100% record from the boot by successfully kicking two penalties.

Aldwinians did finish the first half with a controversial try down the right hand side, but despite their persistence Aldwinians could only break through the Boro defence once more early in the second half.

Littleborough from the word go were in the mood despite coming to Audenshaw Park with a bare team and having to be lent shirts by Aldwinians so that they could play.

It was quick thinking that lead to the first try, as having won a penalty five metres out Mills took the quick tap and barged his way to the line. Having been held up just, back row Ellidge picked up from the bottom of the ruck and squirmed under two despairing tackles to finish what Mills had started. Coop saw to the conversion in front of the right post.

Soon that became two for Boro as repeated pick and goes from the breakdown by Henry Ashworth, Murphy Holt and finally James Bex five metres out from the Aldwinians whitewash were repelled only for Mills to squeeze through the tiniest of gaps to wriggle over. Coop added what would be important extras straight through the posts.

Coop continued to press Boro's scoreline forward, successfully finding the middle of the posts with two penalties after Aldwinians played the ball on the floor whilst off their feet.

Boro were in full command and forcing Aldwinians into handling errors and were very unfortunate to have a try given against them. Good movement of the ball left to right got the Aldwinian winger free on the outside but as he sprinted for the line he was stopped in his tracks by a strong Coop tackle. The referee called a ruck so Coop released the ball and the tackler. The winger then got up and dived over for a try that should never have been given.

The try galvanised Aldwinians and they put the pressure on in the last five minutes of the half, camping in the Boro 22 but had nothing to show for it as relentless chop tackles and good work at the breakdown countered quick ball production.

Aldwinians gave it all in the second half and they were rewarded for their belief by crashing over on the right hand side. The number 8 peeling off the back of a driving maul to get the home side right back into the game. The Aldwinians kicker sent his kick way wide of the posts.

For the rest of the half Aldwinians camped in the Littleborough half and did not take the pressure off but neither did Littleborough in defence, which repelled everything thrown at them. Boro were colossal in defence barely giving an inch and making the home sideAldwinians work hard for every yard.

The full time whistle came with a massive roar from Boro, the deserved winners of the match for their enormous defensive effort and being clinical in attack when they had their chances.