Seconds are outgunned in St Helens
THE penultimate game of the Littleborough second team season ended in a 42-24 defeat during an entertaining game at Prescot Road.
Home side West Park St Helens, in particular the inside centre, proved too much to handle for Littleborough as both teams played out a fascinating feast of tries and talking points.
First the centre was given all the space and time in the world as he was put through a gaping hole in the Boro’s midfield defence before a huge talking point saw the game turned on its head.
With temperatures soaring above 20 degrees, some of the players lost their heads as the inside centre made a non arms shoulder charge to the face of Boro scrum half Cameron Kenworthy.
A scuffle insued from the resulting reaction and while the inside centre received no punishment, Boro’s Danny Lawlor and the West Park full back received yellow cards.
The visitors responded favourably to the yellow cards by drawing themselves to within two points with one of the tries of the season.
Several line breaks from their own 22 saw West Park scrambling before an interchange of passes from Dylan Critchley and Alastair Godwin in the home side 22 saw the full back crash over.
It was a fabulous execution of team work and strong running rugby as every single player played their part to perfection.
West Park then demonstrated their quality in attack scoring another two tries including a full length try from a knock on.
Before the break the Prescot Road fans were left delighted once more as the home side struck again with another try for the impressive 12 as he powerfully broke through a tackle to score.
Littleborough players are made of strong stuff and their determination not to give in and actually attempt the great escape was breathtaking to see, as the men in black, green and yellow got themselves to within five points of their hosts with tries from fly half Konrad Hill and Danny Lawlor.
Hill’s try came off the back of a quick tap penalty and speedy acceleration over the line while Lawlor’s score was more down to brute strength and quick feet as he pushed and danced his way over the try line; good work in the build up by Hill worked the opportunity for his centre.
Littleborough’s set piece particularly in the scrum was a real delight all afternoon as the pack stole plenty of West Park possession and carried a real threat in attack.
However, it would not stop West Park finally putting the game to bed with two further tries as both teams tired in the scorching St Helens sunshine.