Rugby Union: Littleborough RUFC 18 - 26 De La Salle RUFC

Littleborough RUFC

Early positive play by Littleborough didn’t last and De La Salle won the match.

On a very wintry afternoon, cold and wet and with ground conditions barely playable Littleborough immediately went on the attack from the kick off showing good determination, good forwards pressure in De La Salle 22 metre area.

It was towards the end of the first quarter before Littleborough took an opportunity to score the first points of the match; Don Kershaw converting a penalty kick.

Another penalty was awarded to Littleborough just short of the halfway line, but too great a distance with the heavy ground conditions to be converted.

Follwing a delay for treatment to an injured De La Salle player, good defence by
Littleborough’s Ted Chadwick on his own five metres area which unfortunately was followed by a Littleborough player being sent off.

Late in the half De La Salle crossed the try line for the first time, but no conversion.

Littleborough hit straight back with a run from hooker Mathew Goldthorpe who went over for Littleborough’s first try. No conversion.

Littleborough’s Murphy Holt put in another good run before passing the ball on but De La Salle got hold of the ball and ran in their second try. The conversion was successful.

Half time: Littleborough RUFC 8 v 12 De La Salle RUFC

Start of second half saw Littleborough’s Chris Hough take to the field and very soon was involved in a brilliant cross field kick to his right winger, Don Kershaw who made a great catch of the ball and ran in Littleborough’s second try of the afternoon. No conversion.

Very strong attacking running from De La Salle was having an impact on the match and soon they were successful in collecting their third try, which they converted.

De La Salle started to monopolise the game and though Littleborough were giving a good account of themselves in defence, they couldn’t prevent a further converted try being scored against them.

Littleborough didn’t stop trying and did score a further try thorugh Mark Murgatroyd, but too late to make a difference ot the result.

The man-of-the-match award went to Robert Chadwick for his total commitment.