Injury-hit side win second period
LITTLEBOROUGH RUFC’s under 14s travelled to Sandal decimated by a number of injuries, meaning they were only able to play with a bare 15.
A number of those players had to play in unfamiliar roles.
Faced with a larger team, both in numbers and physicality, the boys put on a superb performance, and the scoreline was in no way indicative of the true nature of the game.
In the first half Boro were up against it, with Sandal coming down the slope to attack.
The boys met fire with fire at the game line, and time and time again they tackled and brought the opposition down.
Alas, the home side broke through and by the end of the first half the boys trailed by a score of 0-19.
In the second half they continued to put in a wholehearted effort, but ground was conceded by virtue of giving away a number of penalties.
The loss of possession and territory ultimately proved too much and Sandal crossed to score the first try of the second half.
The boys gritted their teeth and set about their opposition once more, and having kept possession and moved up field they scored thanks to Tyler Mills.
The try was converted by Jacob Brady, thereby reducing the deficit to 7-24.
The game was lost, but again the Boro boys showed their character to come out and win the second half.
With a weakened squad decimated by injuries and illness, Littleborough under 12s travelled to Sale FC with nine players missing but managed a 12-1 win.
They wasted no time in imposing themselves on the opposition with some strong and disciplined tackling in defence and clever and creative work going forward.
It wasn’t long before Littleborough’s dominance got their just rewards with some quick hands and even quicker feet saw Deacon Connolly break through the opposition’s defensive line to score the first try of the day.
This opened the flood gates and with L’boro showing great teamwork ran in another five unanswered tries for Deacon Connolly (2), Harry Lees and Luke Howarth (2), to go in at the break 6-0 up.
The second half followed the same pattern with the visiting team camped in the Sale half of the pitch.
So it was inevitable that more tries were to follow as Joe Mills, Zak Brady, Joe Russon and Deacon Connolly (2), all crashed over the line and adding to the rather one-sided scoreline.
Sale managed a consolation try following a breakaway move.
Littleborough’s man of the match went to Woody Mayberry for an all-round great game, with Joe Mills being awarded magic moment for a great piece of tackling work.