Under 15s put paid to nemesis
THIS has been an unprecedented start of the season for Littleborough and none more so than the Under 15s.
Having recorded a hefty victory in their first game of the new campaign last time out, the under 15s have now put to bed past demons with a stunning 50-10 hammering of previous nemesis Manchester U15s at Grove Park.
After seeing out an edgy opening, Littleborough sprung in life with sucker punch after sucker punch that Anthony Joshua would be proud of. Charlie Frost broke the deadlock with a strong carry minutes before hooker Tom Howard took his chance with precision, scoring his first of the campaign.
Before Manchester had time to regather their thoughts, the visitors delivered the knock out blows. Efan Morgan and Nyall Hensby exchanged some quality tries that were given the full treatment from the boot of Jack Bennetta, who converted both. The diminutive fly half was running the show, setting up Hensby’s first with a blistering dummy and acceleration to release his centre.
He was not done tormenting Manchester yet as he once again had a hand in Hensby’s second of the match and his fourth in successive games.
With 30 minutes gone, Littleborough had scampered to 33-0.
Playing Manchester has always been a one-sided affair for the Cheadle Hulme based outfit but not this time. A display of skilled attacking execution saw Boro dominate for large parts and cut the favourites to shreds.
Once again, the home side could not keep a confident Boro side at bay as Tom McAree and Jack Bennetta both went over in a matter of minutes before the half time whistle. Bennetta converted for a personally tally of 15 for the afternoon.
The half time whistle did bring with it a different Manchester – they got the better of the second half scoreline despite McAree’s second try to see the scoreline finish at 10-50.
Keswick were the visitors to Rakewood against the junior colts.
The Cumbrian side came to play rugby and though they weren’t very big, they were fit and could tackle and ruck, pushing Boro back from their own try line on more than one occasion when the home side thought they could muscle over for a try.
In very wet conditions, Keswick took the lead in the first 10 minutes through an opportunistic try from their scrum half, who hassled the Boro scrum and took advantage of the slippy ball at the back. A possible call for offside but the lads didn’t quite react quick enough and the visitors kicked a seven-point lead.
Bradley Watts slotted two penalties to bring the game within reach, capitalising on the Keswick infringements.
A tough forwards game saw a stalemate in the middle of the pitch with both teams giving no quarter. Each side tried to play some quick rugby but the wet ball too often went to ground.
Two more penalties from the boot of Watts saw Littleborough Colts take a half time lead of 12-7.
As the conditions improved, the ball saw more width and Boro pressed the Keswick line. Quick hands from a penalty in the Keswick 10 metres saw Harry Gee feed Ben Stott who put Kai Sumner in at the corner for a good team try, Sumner’s second try in a week.
More grunt and great ball carrying from the forwards brought more penalties with Watts and Harrison taking another six points.
The game was far from over and Keswick attacked down both flanks only to be tracked brilliantly and dispatched by the organised Boro backline.
All in all a great 23-7 win for the Colts who are not used to grinding out victories in this way, good decisions and calm execution turned possession into points. The influence from the first team players drafted into the coaching set up by Andy Bairstow is clearly having a positive effect on the young lads. Particularly on the likes of Ben Stott who has been earning big plaudits for the start he has made this year.
Also at home, the Littleborough Under 13 boys welcomed the visit of Warrington.
Hat-tricks from Brody Baxter and Bailey Howarth set the platform for a very strong display from the side, which saw them field three new faces with four strong regulars missing.
Against a tough outfit further tries from Harry York, Harvey Johnson, Billy Blake and Adam Gibson gave the score a convincing look and ensured the hard yards made by the forwards were rewarded by the backs finishing in style.
Other coaches watching the under 13s for the first time were suitably impressed. They played some great rugby and left the referee 30 metres behind for a couple of scores.