No hangover on Boro return
STRONG performances across Littleborough’s Mini and Junior section ensured their would be no North Wales Tour hangover.
After facing off against some of the best sides in North Wales, Littleborough’s Under 8s got back to winning ways as the young guns welcomed the visit of Yorkshire side Old Brodleians.
In what was a great succession games, Boro showed some collaborative tagging as a defensive unit and collected the allotted seven tags on numerous occasions.
The passing on show was that way ahead of their minor years as commented on by the opposition coaches.
While there was plenty to congratulate on as team, a few special mentions go out to Matthew Makinson who scored a stunning try by hurtling down the wing to go over in the corner. Jack Ashworth once more stood out with another fantastic game which resulted in a man of the match performance.
Playing against the older members of the Old Brodleians clan, Boro’s under 10s had a very tough afternoon against some quality opposition.
But their hard work and determination paid off to record a yet another successful Sunday.
The team goes from strength to strength and with only two defeats to their name all season, their fabulous run continues.
A clubs spokesman said: “We have the makings of a very good strong side and while there are a few lessons still to be learnt, the boys and girls are showing maturity and intellect beyond their youthful years to consistently improve on their weaknesses week in, week out.”
Further North, the Under 11s put on a spectacle as they drew 5-5 with Burnley in their third fixture against them this season.
Starting like a bullet train the boys and girls took a stunning 4-1 lead and held this comfortably until the third quarter.
Tiredness, caused by playing uphill on a surprisingly warm day in the Lancastrian sunshine, as well as an injury to scrum half Woody Mayberry, saw the home side take advantage by gaining the lead in a remarkable comeback.
What was most pleasing to the coaching team was the boys’ determination not to roll over and pull their sleeves up despite the tiredness.
They fought back in the final minutes, nearly scoring a couple of tries before Joe Mills levelled proceedings with the last play.
A brace from Alex Sunderland was one of many stand out performances as Joe Russon also drew plaudits for his quality in turning over the ball at the ruck almost at free will.
Strong tackling from Tyler Brock, George Sutcliffe, Luke Howarth and Tom Deacon set the platform for their early lead where excellent running and support play from Jamie Roberston and Connolly Leighton made large yardage gains for away side.
In other results across the weekend, the Under 12s on the back of their trophy success at the WelshRugbyRocks tour had another positive weekend as despite narrowly losing 3-2 to Sedgley Park, they managed to dismantle Oldham 6 tries to 1.
Sedgley Park would be the catalyst of more Littleborough misery as they took a 24-0 victory under the Friday night lights at Park Lane.
Littleborough were under the cosh immediately as the influential Ben Scott injured his knee in first play of game and had to be replaced.
The whole team defended well against a good side, especially in second half.
Boro struggled to make ground in attack due to Saracens like high pressing defence, sometimes pushing the boundaries of the offside line.
Boro pressed in final five minutes for a consolation with a number of line-outs and scrums in the opposition 22 but couldn’t quite find their way over the line.