Happy return home for Boro
LITTLEBOROUGH returned to their Rakewood home for the first time since midNovember with a convincing victory against Thornton Cleveleys.
Playing down the slope in the first half, Boro nevertheless conceded possession in the opening exchanges as the visitors saw plenty of the ball.
The contest turned Boro’s way after ten minutes when a good strong tackle by centre threequarter Andy Walton allowed winger Andy Roberts to break upfield before feeding captain, Chris Park who then picked out Nathan Coop to score the game’s opening try.
Soon after, second row Henry Ashworth showed strong running and effective passing of the ball but, with the opposition still having the majority of possession, Boro’s best work was in containing Thornton and keeping them away from dangerous areas, the tackling of Mark Murgatroyd helping no end.
A brilliant take of the ball by Boro’s Mathew Goldthorpe paved the way for him to collect the first of his two tries to extend the lead.
Prop forward Murphy Holt was taking the ball well and creating strong runs and just before half time came Boro’s first successful conversion of a penalty by Coop, followed on by a strong attack by Jordan Clark who nearly made over the tryline to bring the first half to a close at 13-0.
Boro, playing up the slope for the second half, were expecting to be under pressure on the turn around of the game and felt nervous they may not have scored enough points in the first half to stave off Thornton’s expected comeback.
But a great kick to touch by out half Jack Whittles, followed by another break by Goldthorpe saw him score his second of the day to give the team a boost, especially when Whittles followed up with a great break and passed the ball onto Jake Castree for him to cross the line for Boro’s fourth try. That score was followed by a conversion by Coop, putting Boro in total command.
The fifth try came as a result of a fast chase of the ball by winger Roberts, latching on to a big kick and forcing his opposite number into a mistake which he seized on and crossed the line. Coop converted.
Boro were now on a high and a great breakaway by Jason Clarke gave them their sixth try of the afternoon.
There was a consolation for the visitors when, with ten minutes remaining, they suddenly struck gold and went over Boro’s tryline for a five-pointer, though it was too little too late.
Once again this was a great Team effort by all of Boro,s players. The club’s coaching staff are doing a splendid job and on this performance so did the Man of the Match Henry Ashworth who continues to give strong performances every game.
Prior to the game the teams lined up and on the referee’s whistle they did a strong hand clap for one minute to remember the passing of a well liked and long serving Boro member Peter Sutton.