Rugby Union: Littleborough Girls U15s at Rochdale Girls Festival

Littleborough Girls Under 15s took part in the Rochdale Girls Festival at Moorgate Avenue on Sunday (4 November).

After beating Preston Grasshoppers by 2 tries to 1 in their first game, they went straight into the second game against Liverpool St Helens. A disappointing 2-0 defeat followed.

In their final game of the afternoon, a try for hooker Tilda Robinson-Burgess helped Littleborough to draw with West Park St Helens.

In confident mood, Littleborough started their first game against Preston Grasshoppers in electric fashion with a well-worked try. Five phases of quick ball had Preston scrambling in defence before Amy Perrin broke through and ran in next to the sticks.

Preston themselves settled from the early blow and countered with one of their own tries when the fly half broke through some weak Littleborough tackles to score.

With the game evenly poised, it was led to one team to make their mark with Littleborough doing just that.

Tilda Robinson-Burgess ripped the ball from the Preston second row in the Lancashire side’s own goal area.

Littleborough will feel as though it was richly deserved after the Lancashire second row had just denied Kiera Boardman a try on the goal line in the previous phase.

The Pink Warriors continued to generate quick ball and while they didn't score again they are showing real signs of quality.

Next up for the Under 15s were the imposing Liverpool St Helens, known for being able to work the ball well from side to side. Littleborough, despite having little ball in a short game, demonstrated their tackling prowess.

Having won the previous game, the Under 15s from Littleborough were playing in their second straight match while Liverpool St Helens were in their first match of the day.

Their freshness saw them catch a laboured Littleborough unaware as their fly half cut through a staggered defensive line to score near the right-hand post.

A great scramble in defence saw Littleborough hold their own and deny the visitors for long periods.

However, the pressure eventually told and in the last play of the game, the ball was worked wide to the left for the Liverpool St Helens wing to dab the ball down in the corner.

A short 10-minute game format meant that both teams would have to be clinical.

On the other hand, both were evenly matched and whilst Littleborough will feel aggrieved not to come away with a victory, the game sets up next week's clash in the Cup perfectly.