Boro rule over local rivals

LITTLEBOROUGH under 14s travelled across town to face Rochdale for the first of 3 (perhaps 4) encounters between these teams this season.

The action remained in the Rochdale half for a sustained period, thanks in large to good forward work and some indiscipline (offsides) from the Rochdale lads.

The pressure eventually told when Ben Crabtree crashed through to score the opening try of the game (Ben Willocks with the conversion).

From the resulting re-start the Boro line came under pressure and from a line-out close to the Boro line Rochdale were able to reduce the deficit by scoring from a rolling maul (conversion missed). From there on in the lads dominated the half with a further four tries (three from Ben Crabtree and one for Ben Willocks) in the period (three of which were converted).

The half ended with Boro in leading by 33-5.

In the second half, whether it be because Rochdale picked up their levels or Boro taking the foot of the gas, or a mixture of both, Rochdale began to take the upper hand and the possession and territorial stats for large parts were heavily in their favour. This led to them scoring a further 3 tries (conversions missed). The last try seemed to provoke Boro into action and they ended the game strongly, culminating in them scoring the last try of the game (Ben Crabtree). The conversion was kicked, meaning the final score was 40-20.

Our clubman of the week award went to Ruben Warburton.

Special mentions also to Will Rawlinson, Ethan Dewhurst and Ben Crabtree while Ben Willocks was picked out by both the Rochdale coach and the referee as their man of the match.

Squad: Charlie Bell, Bradley Chrimes, Jake Coupe, Ben Crabtree, Harry Crabtree, James Devine, Ethan Dewhurst, Tom Fenton, James Furnell, Cayan Harris, Luke Jones, Thomas Kelly, Olly Mills, Will Rawlinson, Max Risby, Ruben Warburton, Ben Williams and Ben Williamson.