Colts class right
LITTLEBOROUGH’S Colts sign off a phenomenal 10-year journey with the most special of endings to a lung-bursting season.
First and foremost a massive thanks to all parents for their efforts. With 29 players signed on, sometimes getting 15 out on the pitch on a Sunday is real hard work given all the lads have now found other adult interests.
This year was all about integrating into the senior teams and as a squad we have at least 10 playing regular Saturday and Sunday with some of those already establishing themselves as first team regulars.
We have seen the third team build and support players before pushing them into the second team and further developing their games.
Unfortunately, this has impacted the games on a Sunday and when it gets to the hour mark some players start to feel a little fatigued and late on we have tended to fade a little as a team.
However, finishing midtable in the second league is a great result for Littleborough.
Not only that but the Colts had a great cup run this year and lifted the Lancashire trophy beating local rivals Rochdale in the semifinal at their own ground in front of a big crowd, who up to playing Littleborough were unbeaten all season.
The final was closely contested against Rossendale but Littleborough prevailed 12-10.
An early try from Jordan Clarkey was followed by a late Cameron Kenworthy dart from the ruck to give the colts the perfect fairy tale ending.
Off the field the squad alongside their fathers (40 in total) travelled to Magaluf for a last tour.
It was a fitting way to celebrate and reflect back on life long memories, some of players whom have worked up through minis into juniors and now the majority will progress teams.
Coach Michael Fletcher said: “I’ve coached this squad from 10 years old.
“We have had many highs and lows from struggling to field sides and losing week in and out in the early years, to winning trophies and moving up two divisions to play in the best leagues against some of the biggest teams in the North West.
“This season the Colts have supported all the senior teams and brought back silverware to the club.
“I could not be any more proud of these young men.
“Can’t wait to play alongside you all next season!”
Littleborough Under 14s have burst into the spotlight across the northern rugby union sphere with impressive performance after impeccable display.
This season was all about testing the boys’ skills, talents and character against teams of higher standard in both Cheshire and Yorkshire.
They held their own, causing a stir amongst the into the senior more clubs.
Some of those matches over the course of the season saw stand-out victories over the likes of Bowdon against the odds, several Yorkshire giants and engineering a remarkable come back from 24-0 down against Altrincham to win 24-42 showed the very best character and quality the squad possesses.
This was demonstrated once more as the Under 14s, led by Micky Howard and Rob Hensby, beat Manchester-based Heaton Moor to top the group within the cup after losing to them only a week before.
The semi final against Warrington proved to be one game too far for this young side. However, this is the high level they have aspired to be playing at and they lost to the very best.
At the Easter break the Under 14s joined the rest of the mini and junior section of the club on tour to the WelshRugbyRocks festival reaching the final.
Unfortunate to lose the final in controversial circumstances, it still had to be the game of the season well established with a vociferous and large in number green army crowd cheering them throughout.
Manager Rob Hensby said: “The core skills on this lot are second to none. We have tried to promote a team ethos within team and the boys are really finding their positions.”
With the incredible 9/10/12 axis in brothers Sam and Jack Bennetta and Nyall Hensby, Efan Morgan a rock at prop, Taylor Brady, Ben Russon and Michael Mills drove the team with phenomenal work rate around the park.
Tom Mills and Ben Roscoe provided the much needed go forward as the main ball carriers and Matty Gibson was solid at fullback. This team has all the attributes to become one of the best young sides in the North West and beyond.
Meanwhile, in only their second season, Littleborough ladies took to a fully-fledged League and showed they are here to stay.
Playing in the NC North East 1 division the Ladies have not looked at all out of place against some bigger and more established teams and enjoyed success in various forms over a disjointed season.
Bolstering the ranks again this season with the likes of Samantha Frazier, Becky Farrell and Holly Coburn; with a sparkling new kit to boot courtesy of new sponsors Peter Howarth and John Thompson from Sks Engineering earlier in the season, the team have once again exceeded all expectations.
Some of this season’s highlights include the battle and victory over local rivals Oldham. In a cracker of a game that Boro overcame a heavy underdog tag with a flat 15 available to win impressively.
The Ladies also made it to their first plate semifinal. Despite being eventually out gunned, Littleborough
‘I could not be any more proud of these young men’
were on top for the majority of the game and unlucky not to have been rewarded with a chance in the final.
Off the field, the team have spearheaded and led the Pink Warrior movement superbly and have set their aspiring young warriors a superb example of what it really means to wear the Littleborough colours.
With a new coach in experienced Chris Coop and some new girls, next year has all the foundations to be the best yet.