Rugby Union: Littleborough Juniors

Littleborough Rugby Union Under 13s added another trophy to the club's expanding cabinet with a 45-40 victory in the Lancashire Waterfall Tournament.

Having seen four of Littleborough's junior sides fall at the semi-final hurdle, Littleborough's Under 13s were determined to end the clubs wretched run as they took on Liverpool St Helens in their final of the Lancashire Waterfall Tournament.

Liverpool St Helens have been imperious form in their cup this season and contributed to a tough yet enjoyable game of rugby.

Littleborough were quickest of the blocks and put LSH under pressure they had never experienced before by racing into a 20-5 lead.

The Merseyside outfit recovered well and fought hard to get back into the contest and take the lead by five points at the break.

The second half began with Liverpool St Helens extending their lead.

However, Littleborough had not read the script, and showed spirit and resilienc.

With only two minutes remaining on the clock and Littleborough leading 45-40, the U13s found themselves pinned in their own half in a nail biting finish, but held out to secure the silverware and finish the season in the best possible fashion.

Littleborough's try scorers were Jake Coupe (2),, Ben Crabtree (2), Ben Willocks (2), Bradley Chrimes, Thomas Kelly, and Ruben Warburton.

The U16s beat Bury 28 - 26 in a hard fought and close match up against opposition in a higher division with some of the more experienced players missing and injured.

Littleborough U10s, U11s and U12s travelled 60+ miles to take part in the Preston Grasshoppers festival on Sunday, but endured a tough afternoon with injuries and quality opposition denting their tournament winning aspirations.

The U10s faced off against well drilled and powerful teams they have never played before and to the delight of the coaches and parents they still soldiered on but just was not their day when it came to points.

Littleborough U11 also met well drilled, well organised, very structured sides in the pool of defeat. First up was a tough opener against Warrington, followed by a match up with a double Merseyside test in Firwood Waterloo and Liverpool Collegiate. Two more games followed against Bury based Sedgley Park and finally the hosts Preston Grasshoppers U11s. 

Try of the day came from Zac Brady showing support to Ben Limer who was held up just short but managed to squeeze the ball out for Zak to dive over.

The Under 12s were blighted by injuries as they suffered two early head knocks to play with only 11 for the rest of the day.

The rest of the boys acquitted themselves admirably as they drew two tries each against Sefton, beat Wyre Borough based Garstang 5-0 and lost to hosts Preston Grasshoppers one try to nil as they went over for a score in the last play,

Two further games saw the U12s beat Kirkby Lonsdale 3-0 before they ran out of steam to lose three tries to zero to Vale of Lune and to Liverpool Collegiate in the bowl final.