After interval

Neighbours make home advantage pay

LOCAL rivals Rochdale made home advantage count as they took victories in numerous match ups against Littleborough’s mini section.

Kicking off this week’s action in their first taste of the Lancashire Waterfall Competition with home games against Rochdale and Sedgley Park were the Littleborough Under 12s.

Both sides had inflicted heavy defeats on Boro team last season. A tasty morning saw the local rivalry once again take shape as the youngsters in black, green and yellow went up against a strong and well drilled Rochdale side.

The Littleborough boys did themselves proud with some great attacking and even better defensive work, managing to match the visitors tackle for tackle.

A brief lack in concentration led to a Rochdale try at the end of the first half and it would not get any better as the second half got off to a bad start with two quick Rochdale tries. The visitors picked themselves up and started to force the play.

However they were undone when a missed tackle and another unforced error led to another two tries with the game finishing 5-0 in the favour of the home side.

Littleborough had no time to dwell on defeat as they faced Sedgley Park.

Again the Under 12s started well, tackling hard and tried to move the ball through hands out to the wide men.

On the other hand, missed tackles were costing them as they went 2-0 down at half time.

More hard work in the second half was undermined on what would be a theme of the day’s play as some unforced errors saw the boys concede once more.

Littleborough’s good play was finally rewarded by a well crafted try with Woody Mayberry going over the line.

A final breakaway try saw Sedgley Park run out 4-1 winners.

Despite the scores the u12s should be able to take a lot from the two games and be proud of their never-say-die attitude.

Littleborough under 9s also made the six-mile journey to Rochdale where they were met by quite a squad of large players. Undeterred, the young Littleborough lads took it to them in the first game with some strong running up the middle. They tackled with all their might in what was a tight game.

Losing 11 tries to seven, a scoreline that flattered the hosts, Littleborough’s tries came from Aden Kolbuck and Lewis Wales who both got a brace, while Matthew Makinson, Ollie Fletcher and man of the match debutant Archie Risdale all chipped in a try apiece.

The second game was a little different as Boro played the other Rochdale team in what was the telling factor. Fresh legs of the hosts saw them run several tries. but not once did the u9s take a backwards step and kept working hard for each other right to the end. That what was most pleasing part for the coaches. Aden Kolbuck put in the biggest of tackles and starred again with another two tries alongside Ollie Fletcher’s second of the afternoon.

Rochdale also played host to Boro’s Under 11s in a four-teamed event.

There was a lot of good rugby seen across both matches as both teams strength and depth were put to the test.

Great captaincy and leadership skills demonstrated by Timon Warby and Callum Sharrocks, directed the new team members on the field and helped them get their bearings in a intense affair.

Rochdale used every weapon set piece as the visitors adapted brilliantly to everything thrown at them.

There were a couple of decisions that the team felt didn’t go their way, but they accepted the ref’s decision, regained themselves and continued to stay true to our team and clubs ethos of showing great sportsmanship and respect.

A victory for one Littleborough team coincided with the loss for the other team in what was a mixed bag of results. However this didn’t dampen any spirits of the under 11 team or take away anything on an excellent day of rugby in the local community.