Seconds see off rivals to close the gap

TWO tries scored from quickly taken penalties left Bolton perplexed and helped Littleborough seconds close the gap to their second-placed rivals.

With both sides fighting for an all-important victory that will have significant consequences at the end of the season, fifth placed Littleborough made Bolton pay with two moments of intelligent rugby play to reduce the league table points from seven points to four, with a game in hand to boot.

Both teams were well matched throughout and made for a real exciting and enthralling encounter between two promotion chasing teams desperate to end years of disappointment.

Visitors to Rakewood Bolton, took the early lead in this one with a penalty from the boot of the full back after Littleborough’s breakdown indiscretions were captured by the referee.

The home side responded in exactly the way you would desire them too by scoring the afternoon’s first try. After Boro overturned a Bolton scrum 5 metres out, Josh Ellidge buried over from close range next to the right hand post.

Lead of the game would change hands once more however as Bolton regained the lead with a try out wide.

Quick hands gave the Bolton full back the space he needed to break the tackle and dot down, much to the delight of the travelling Bolton players and coach.

Undeterred by this set back Littleborough controlled the rest of the first half and with a scrum that was winning every contest, it would only be a matter of time and quality.

Scrum half Chris Kolbuck used all his experience to take a quick tap penalty 30 metres out while Bolton were bemoaning a decision against them and exploited it with a lung bursting run to just three metres from the line.

As the ball was recycled quickly, half back partner Andrew Bairstow broke through a despairing last ditch tackle to dot down under the sticks.

So with the game nicely poised at 14-10 to the home side at the break, it would become a contest of who blinked first.

Deservedly for the home side support, it was Boro’s second team who would grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

A penalty on half way by Konrad Hill found good distance to Bolton’s 22 on the left hand side and while the away side walked back expecting a lineout. Bairstow used the opportunity to expertly and very intelligently take a quick lineout to supporting Joel Rawlinson.

The full back still had some work to do to score and oh did he do it so well.

He bulldozed his way through the first tackle before holding off two others to stretch his hand out and find the whitewash.

Bolton would like their counterparts did in the first half control the rest of the match, but for the most part they could not find a breakthrough.

A hallmark of Littleborough’s game is their aggressive defence and with Chris Collins, Murphy Holt and Adam Browne all gaining crucial turnovers when under the cosh, it is always going to be difficult to find a way through.

The away side finally did find an opening to score their second try of the afternoon but a late penalty for Littleborough by Konrad Hill saw the end of Bolton’s fight back and ensure the home side were rewarded for their ability to pull the trigger first.