Red Rose too strong for Northumbrians

IN an Under 18s match at Moorgate Avenue, a Lancashire side containing several Rochdale-based players proved far superior than their North East rivals as they thrashed a good Northumbrian side 34-0.

Chloe Boardman, Megan Dickinson, Olivia Turner and Summer Harris from Littleborough made their mark in the red and white of Lancashire.

Scoring four tries in the first half, the home county showed excellent killer instinct, scoring on all but on of their forays in the opposition 22.

Once they had the first score of the afternoon they never looked back, following up with three very different scores.

Firstly, the Under 18s hooker scored with a close range crash ball try following a number of close attempts.

The second came from fantastic linespeed defence led by Littleborough’s Chloe Boardman, that caused a poor pass in midfield. The overweight pass was duly engulfed at speed by Boardman’s centre partner who managed to just hold off the covering defence on the way to the line.

The fourth and fifth tries for the Red Rose were all about team work as great distribution and running lines created space for the full back to send winger Kayleigh in on the outside for a brace.

Littleborough’s Olivia Turner was a constant disruption to the Northumbrian attack, turning over on several occasions and legally slowing the ball down to help her team mates get back into position.

As the light faded in the second half, Northumbria found themselves with more possession and territory of which to find an opening. Fortunately for the home county supporters they kept meeting a resolute Lancashire defence in Chloe Boardman and substitute centre partner Summer Harris.

One final time, the Red Rose county made their opportunity count as quick ball generated by Megan Dickinson helped push the home side close to the line and then eventually over it.