Boro late show
THIS season was always going to be a challenge, but Littleborough’s 1st team successfully secured safety with four victories in the last five games.
In the last year of the current league structure, Littleborough started the season with a 10-point deduction for the previous season’s club disciplinary issues but it did not let that phase them as they battled to an impressive 36-16 win against Cumbrian side Wigton.
Tries on the day from Matthew Goldthorpe, Liam Lloyd, Nathan Coop, David Kearns as well as a individual points tally of 13 from scrum half Richard Taylor gave rise to an expectant season for the men of black green and yellow.
Unfortunately, the wheels came off as the side lost seven of eight to the likes of Bolton, Tarleton, Fleetwood and Aspartia away from home at the back end of 2017.
A 12-12 draw at Rakewood against De La Salle was the only sweet relief from defeat. Boro were unfortunate not to take victory in that game as well as in the narrow 13-17 defeat to Trafford MV in September.
Injuries to key players such as Stuart Bairstow and Andy Walton saw the introduction of some of the colts in their senior debuts for the first team.
Youngsters George Roberts, Matthew McCormick, Matthew Hayden, Jack Wilson and the particularly impressive Jordan Clarkey have all made five or more appearances and shown just what a bright future the club has coming through the ranks.
Victory eluded them as they were held 18 all by another Cumbrian side in Keswick. That was followed by another horrible run of four defeats as promotion chasers Wigton and Bolton put pay to any victory for Littleborough.
Player of the season Jake Castree and Chris Park both shone in the disappointing defeats.
Saturday 24th February was the day that everything turned on it’s head and the start of an amazing set of victories that would see Littleborough move out of the relegation places and steer clear of relegation.
An eight-try haul including two from the departing Joshua Park saw Littleborough pick up a valuable 54-5 victory at Burnley. It was one of the performances of the season.
A 25-10 home result against Tarleton soon followed as David Kearns coolly obliged on the end of an intelligent kick through from Jack Whittles.
Further tries from Matthew Goldthorpe and a great team effort finished by Chris Kolbuck ensured four vital points in wet and miserable conditions.
Despite failing to win the next two games, Littleborough went on an phenomenal four-match winning run that saw the likes of Aldwinians, Burnley, Hawcoat Park and relegation rivals Eccles all leave Rakewood with their tails between their legs.
Littleborough’s 97-0 drubbing of relegated Burnley saw a new club record as Richard Taylor playing in all new position of winger, compared to the normal role as scrum half, scored eight tries in one game. The return of centre Adam Sanderson saw him collect five tries.
Overall, in a tough and arduous season that has seen the team finish in 11th, there has been some great successes.
The introduction of colts, the quality of new and returning players like Henry Ashworth, Jake Castree and Adam Sanderson, the seasoned campaigners who steered the team across the line.
Coaches Micky Howard and Dom Fraternale have instilled a dynamic and fluid style of play and will now look to push the team to a much higher position as they enter a new Lancashire County League.