What might have been for third team

A MISSED conversion from Tom Travis in the last play of the game denied Littleborough 3’s a hugely significant victory over title rivals Wilmslow.

After centre Gareth Sharrocks made levelled the scores at 26-26 with a try in the final phase of the match, it put huge pressure on fly half Travis to convert the kick.

Unfortunately for the Boro side he wouldn’t quite be as successful as Jonny Sexton had been a few weeks earlier and ensured both teams left the field disappointed at what could have been.

Littleborough and Wilmslow’s respective third teams have been fighting all season for the place at the top of the table, with the former top of the table by two points with two games in hand.

Given that both teams have another 80 minutes against one another at Littleborough in a few weeks’ time.

It was now or never for the home side.

The Memorial Ground outfit started the better of the two sides in what would become a game of cat and mouse.

First the home side took advantage of a nervous away side with a well worked try down the blindside before Littleborough replied through hooker Scott Kershaw.

In only his first five pointer of the season that try from a close range burst off the ruck would be vital in keeping Boro in the contest.

Back came Wilmslow as they took advantage of some Littleborough ill-discipline and some generous decision making by the official to score two penalty tries in between a Littleborough try from Jason Clegg.

In the process of the second penalty try Littleborough were reduced to 14 men as full back Konrad Hill saw yellow.

The home side failed to register any further points on the score board in those 10 mins and were made to pay for lack of cutting edge as Hill made up for his previous error with a try.

Come the closing stages of the match and with the game evenly poised for either team to take a huge step towards the title, it was Littleborough who blinked first as the Wilmslow scrum half darted over for a third team try.

One thing that can be certain however is the resilience, determination and collective composure of Littleborough to find a way back from the dead in difficult circumstances.

Lock Alex Sutcliffe managed to put Sharrocks into space and he finished off the rest to level the scores and present Travis with a glorious opportunity to be the hero.

Unfortunately he could not take it and the game would be forever remembered as a stalemate for two teams who deserve to be fighting for titles.

With the two point difference, two games in hand and reverse fixture at home to whet the appetite you could say that it is advantage Littleborough.