Rochdale Cobras 24 – 12 Littleborough ARLFC

Rochdale Cobras 24 – 12 Littleborough ARLFC

Rochdale Cobras finished the summer season in style last week retaining the Riley Cup with great win over an impressive and youthful Littleborough in the final.

The cup, which has been played on Thursday evenings over 3 weeks involving 5 teams in 12 games, has been a close affair with Mayfield A, Littleborough, Whitworth, Westhoughton and Cobras all looking like they had the means to win the local cup.

The final started as most local derbys do with huge hits, mainly from the Littleborough side, but this didn’t seem to bother the Cobras who from the kick off whipped the ball out wide to winger Pete Marland who showed great pace to race in from 40 yards out. No conversions as this year’s Riley Cup promoted no kicking to speed the game up.

This got the Boro lads back up and they threw everything at the Cobras but the Rochdale defence was on form with hits by Lee Moore, Jo Qaniuci and Ryan Tetley.

Littleborough though would not give up and were now in control of the game and after sustained pressure James Muir forced his way over from close range.

Boro got another to take the lead shortly after as Elliot coup darted over for a true hookers try but this was in vain as the half finished a square as West put Marland in for his second out wide.

The first 20 minutes of the second half was all Littleborough as the visitors tried to get a hold on the game with big drives from David Mills, Kyle Howarth and young Luke Nutley. This pressure paid off as they increased their lead with local legend Paul powers barging over out wide.

This was the last of Littleborough's forays into the home side's half as Cobras fitness and patience after a long season took hold of the game with Anton Grant and Gavin Buckley putting players through the gaps and asking questions of the now tiring Boro defence.

It was now only a matter of time before Rochdale scored again and it came as in form of prop Lee Moore barged over from close range followed by Qaniuci’s quick two tries taking the game away from Littleborough.

Cobras were in again, good work at full back by young Stuart Neate saw the ball fall to Buckley who in turn offloaded to Marland out wide, the little speedster came inside stepping the cover to score under the sticks to finish the game and Cobras short but very successful summer season.

Cobras Captain Ryan Tetley had a few words on Cobras first taste at Summer RL: "It’s been a great trial season in the summer and the lads have enjoyed it, we have won pretty much everything we entered so it’s looking good for next year.

"Players came in from other local league and union clubs and fitted in well.

"We now have a break until pre-season in January ready for the 2012 summer season starting in March. Until then most of our lads are returning the favour to the sides that helped us and putting a shirt on for other local teams, especially Littleborough who our club now has great links with.

"Thanks are given from the Rochdale and District ARL to the Oldham Referees society who blooded many young officials over the last 3 weeks who will no doubt benefit from the experience."

Man of the match, Boro – Elliot Coup, Cobras – Anton Grant

Cobras team: Stuart Neate, Pete Marland, Alex West, Gavin Buckley, Josh Pinder, Anton Grant, Ryan Tetley, Lee Moore, Scott Manock, Dave Tierney, Adon Healey, Martin Boothman, Jo Qanuici, Russell Cowdron, Chris McCorrmack, Napoleon Good, Michael Robbinson

Littleborough team: Paul powers, Graham chambers, rob Rigby, David mills, Jordan turner, Danny Lockett, Kyle Howarth, James Muir, Elliot coupe, Gary Keegan, Gaz Shorrocks, Dom Kershaw, Rob Travis, John Johnston, Jason Rigby, Luke Nutley, Callum peel, Luke Harrison, Henry Ashworth, Barry Rouse