Rugby Union: Barnsley Ladies 36 - 19 Littleborough Ladies

Georgina Quinn and Sam Brazier chase down the defender

Spectacular tries from Samantha Brazier and Harriet Widdup saw Littleborough Ladies go toe-to-toe with Barnsley Ladies in a friendly game away at Shaw Lane.

In a frantic cross border friendly, Littleborough recovered from a poor start to give an experienced Barnsley side a hard thought encounter. The home side, which can boast riches of two teams since their creation four years ago, used all their experience and quality to build a significant 19-point lead in the first quarter.

Littleborough Pink Warriors were not helped by the disappointing withdrawal of debutant Jodie Brock, who was forced to leave the field early with a nasty looking cut on her forehead. The mountain to climb could have been higher had Melissa Rigg not made some important tackles on the wing that prevented further tries for the home side.

Instead the visitors went down the other end and scored their first points of the afternoon through the promising Megan Dickinson.

Barnsley did get on top again through their forwards who carried strongly and dominated in the breakdown.

On the other hand, Littleborough didn't let their heads drop and showed great determination and resilience. Olivia Turner led from the front in the forwards and was well supported by Olivia Frain (before her injury), Sharon Pearson, Chloe Mansell (playing at Hooker for the first time) and Summer Harris.

Finding herself in the unfamiliar position of centre, it would have been easy for Samantha Brazier to do just do the basics. However, she did the basics and more, scoring an amazing long range try, much to the delight of her discombobulated team mates. 

Soon to follow that incredible passage of play was arguably just as an impressive highlight for Littleborough and their travelling fans.

Prop Harriet Widdup channelled her inner Jason Robinson to run in a try from all but 50-metres. It would only be fitting that both tries would be given the full treatment as full back Claire Sutcliffe applied the extras from the tee.

With a few players who have first team experience at Barnsley in North Division level, Littleborough's Ladies can hold their heads high following their second half performance and can use the last 40 mins as great preparation for their cup game next week.

They will be boosted by the welcome return to the team for forwards Keeley Mosoph and Sam Plant following injury layoffs.