Rugby Union: Littleborough RUFC 46 – 26 Trafford MV RUFC

Littleborough RUFC triumphed in the first round of the Lancashire Cup against Trafford MV RUFC on Saturday (13 October).

Littleborough started on the defence where a good tackle was made by Mark Murgatroyd.

The Littleborough three quarters passed the ball along their line, resulting in the game’s first try by Jack Whittles, converted by Nathan Coop, after only 10 minutes.  

After 15 minutes, with much pressure applied, the opposition crossed the line for their first try and converted to equal the score.

This was followed with a good tackle from Mathew McCormick when the opposition were in Littleborough’s half again and almost over the tryline.

A long delay for attention to an injury followed and when the game recommenced, Jake Castree made a good break, continued by winger Andy Wayne.

Littleborough were in their opponent’s 22-metres and a great break was followed by Castree scoring their second try, again converted by Nathan Coop, to regain the lead.

Yet another good attacking run from winger Wayne was followed with a further try for Littleborough by their opposite winger Liam Lloyd, again converted by Coop, despite very strong wind.

When opposition tried to hit back, Littleborough’s Chris Kolbuck made a strong tackle leading to Littleborough gaining more running space but unfortunately, just before half time, the opposition gained the ball and crossed for their second converted try, to make the half time score 21 to 14.

The second half kick-off was collected by Mathew Goldthorpe, who made a fantastic elusive break to immediately cross the line for Littleborough’s fourth try, again converted by Nathan Coop.

Now Littleborough started to interchange players, Sam Dickinson off and Joss Ellidge on whilst the ball was kicked forward by the visitors and collected by Coop to make a good run forward, followed by a successful converted penalty to make the score 31 to 14.  

An arm injury to Kolbuck stopped the game whilst he was attended to before the teams played on.

This was followed with another break by the visitors for a further converted try and at this point Littleborough again made one or two player changes. 

Littleborough worked their way downfield and collected yet another successful penalty by Coop.  

A breakaway by visitors resulted in a freekick to touch and was followed by Littleborough’s Andy Walton returning the ball back in opposition half with a good kick to touch.  

A good loose ball won by Wayne was complemented shortly after with a late great try by Murgatroyd, to make the score at this point in the match, 39 to 21.   

This was followed by good defensive tackling by the full Littleborough team, until the visitors eventually broke through via their winger for their final try. 

Littleborough made yet another brilliant attacking run almost at the end of play, finalising in Captain Chris Park being tackled but managing to pass the ball to support player, Jack Whittles, to score the final days’ try, once again converted by Coop.

This was a most welcome positive result from Littleborough who stepped up a great deal to produce some brilliant rugby.

For his continuous positive play, including determined defensive tackling, Littleborough’s Man of the Match went to Chris Kolbuck.