Rugby Union: Fleetwood RUFC 27 - 15 Littleborough RUFC

With the Fleetwood pitch unfit due to the snow, the game took place down the road on council grounds and Fleetwood coped with the conditions better to run out clear winners.

Littleborough soaked up pressure from Fleetwood team early in the game as they slowly got to grips with the conditions.      

Good distance defensive out of hand kicking from Andy Walton eased the pressure on Littleborough but Fleetwood did get through over on the wing for their first converted try.

Littleborough started to get on the front foot and took play into Fleetwood 22 metres area and were awarded a penalty. Nathan Coop's attempt just missed.

Nathan Ripley was brought down just before the try line after a brilliant distance wing run; the ball went loose for Matthew Goldthorpe to retrieve and cross the line for Littleborough’s first try. The conversion attempt missed.

Fleetwood broke away again for another converted try, giving them a half time lead of 14 points to five.

From kick off in the second half Littleborough took control, their best spell of the game, and Nathan Ripley scored a well deserved try. Converted by Coop.

Fleetwood converted a penalty and not long after they went over the line for yet another converted try.

Littleborough still maintained their rugby skills and that was very much in evidence when after a good period of attacking play Murgatroyd scored their third. The conversion attempt missed.

A terrific storm hit, the sky went black and the rain and ice lashed down for a good 10 minutes, but the teams continued through it.

Whether or not the conditions had anything to do with it, Fleetwood scored another converted try and a penalty.

The travelling supporters of Littleborough couldn’t argue with the result, for their team gave their all but on the day Fleetwood had the edge.

Littleborough man-of-the-match was Chris Park, who constantly fed his team mates good ball and was magnificent in defence.