Boro girls going from strength to strength
LITTLEBOROUGH Under 15s made the 2017/18 season their own!
A lot of the girls have faced the challenge of moving up from U13s and not being used to having a set position, or full pitch experience, but they have worked hard.
Erin Stott has played centre this year and taken on captaincy with relative ease.
Her supportive nature, mixed with great attacking talent, make for one strong leader both on and off the pitch.
She was awarded captain and girl of granite trophies at the end of season presentation in a year that also saw her make her Lancashire debut.
The second part of a dynamic duo at centre with Erin is Courtney Mills, who had back-lines everywhere quaking in there boots and was rewarded for her sterling performances with not only the coaches player of the year but also with her debut appearances for Lancashire. She will be captain next year when Erin moves to the next age group.
You aren’t going to win many games or have a firing back-line unless you have the right distribution and communication half back.
Littleborough Under 15s scrum half Kiera Boardman reminds many of former Wales and British Lions number 9 Mile Phillips. A tall scrum half with a box of tricks in the locker. A great box kick, electric pace and energy and calmer than a monk in a monastery she dictates play from start to finish.
Like their outside backs, Boardman and fly half Ebony Clegg have a unique bond.
Skilful in hand, Clegg has masterminded and dictated play with Kiera superbly using fantastic communication skills and at real presence of mind to read the game well. She has, like a few others, been rewarded with Lancashire caps as well as scooping the clubman award at the end of season presentation.
To be successful and dominate on a match day you need marauding generals and in Nayab Melak Littleborough have just that.
A hooker, forward pack leader and jackal in the ruck, Melak is an outstanding player and has been adorned by lots of coaches as just that.
With a hand-off that could penetrate a brick wall, Nayab is feared and loved all at the same time. This season saw her rightly pick up the award for most improved this season.
It is unusual to see a forward, particularly a number eight, kicking but in Ellie Fitzgerald, the under 15s have there very own Leigh Halfpenny. She has a near perfect record, missing three conversions all season.
A particular highlight that was a popular choice amongst many in the under 15s camp was the North Wales tour. All the girls were supporting each other on and off the pitch, to build a very strong bond whilst being very respectful of their opponents. Of the back of this the girls we were awarded a sportsmanship trophy.
In his last act as coach of the team outgoing Danny Lawlor was full of praise and gracious appreciation for the work the team have put in for him during his time in charge: “They’ve improved massively. It’s been a pleasure to have got to know and coach these girls for the last three years.
“To see the girls section go from two girls to over 50 girls is amazing and it just shows how far our club has come. To be involved with the growth of the girls section has been fantastic and I am extremely grateful. They are a credit to their parents and LRUFC.”