Boro bogged down at home
LITTLEBOROUGH RUFC came up short on Saturday after suffering a narrow defeat at home to Trafford.
It was a wet afternoon and got worse with heavy rain for most of the match, but it was no excuse for Boro not to take advantage of a home game in front of their own fans.
It was end to end in the opening stages of the game, but Littleborough made the breakthrough when pressure by their forwards led to a converted penalty by Richard Taylor for the first points on the board.
There was then another good attacking run from Park, leading to Boro pressurising Trafford’s try line where Andy Bairstow made a nice kick towards his winger Liam Lloyd, but to no avail.
An attacking run from the visitors came next, where Littleborough’s Andy Roberts made an excellent tackle to cut out the move.
Unfortunately for Boro, the ball was passed wide by the Trafford three quarters to their winger for the first try of the match, which was also converted to give them the lead in the game.
Once again, Bairstow was demonstrating some accurate kicking of the ball for Boro, before a break by Matthew Goldthorpe was ended when he was tackled by the opposition full back.
Finally just before the interval, Boro’s Taylor converted another penalty to end the half with his side narrowly trailing 7-6.
The second half saw Park make another good break from a set scrum, before a penalty kick was awarded to the visitors in a dangerous position.
The lineout was Littleborough’s 22 metres area, and it led to Trafford putting together a great run through midfield for their second try to stretch their lead, although there was no conversion.
The second half continued with the end to end nature just like it was in the first, but Trafford moved even further ahead when pressure from the visitors resulted in them gaining their third try, but again there was no conversion.
Boro attempted to get back in the match with a good break by Bairstow, followed with excellent kick to touch by Nigel Coop.
That brought a late try from winger Liam Lloyd which was converted by Taylor to narrow the score to four points, but it was too little too late as the final whistle shortly followed.
It was not the result Littleborough players and supporters envisaged playing at home, and no doubt there will be some discussion during training throughout the week.
For Boro the Man of the Match award went to young full back Coop for his performance, constantly supporting his team with good defensive play, while also clearing up at the back and putting in huge attacking forward kicks.
COME and help Harry Hanson – a club member for 65 years – celebrate his 80th birthday at Littleborough Rugby Club, Rakewood on Friday 20th October, 7.30pm. Entertainment by Dudley Doolittle, The Matchstalk Men. Bar and Supper