Rugby Union: Littleborough 50 - 26 Burnley and Pendle

Littleborough RUFC

A scintillating first half display from Littleborough set the platform for a convincing victory despite a second half fightback from Burnley and Pendle.

Littleborough romped to a 30 points to nil lead in a pulsating half of clinical attacking rugby, with the likes of Alex West, Gary Keegan, Jack Whittles and Jordan Turner all finding the whitewash.

However, Burnley and Pendle gave a good account of themselves in the second half with five tries after a first half to forget.

our tries scored by Littleborough in the second half were enough to ensure it would be they who enjoyed the spoils of victory.

Littleborough winger Jordan Turner opened the scoring early after good hands.

Gary Keegan squeezed over in the opposite corner. Second row Keegan made the most of a size mismatch after a dart down the blindside from Aaron Jones.

Burnley and Pendle couldn’t handle the pace and quality of handling from Littleborough and were made to pay further as Jack Whittles dived over from a Matt Wild break.

Gary Keegan got his second, making the most of a knock on to sprint under the posts.

Matt Wild got his rewards for a good afternoon’s work with a close range try.

Alex West added to the increasing score line with one of the tries of the afternoon. A well worked move that saw West storm through a gap in the defensive line ahead of half way, switching passes with Whittles to create the gap.

Come the second half, and with a mountain to climb, Burnley and Pendle came alive as they racked up three early scores, two of which were converted to reel Boro in.

Littleborough, shocked by the improved performance of the visitors, responded with a try out of the blue as Jones darted over from one yard out; much to the surprise of his team mates and supporters alike.

Burnley and Pendle scored the next two scores of the game, both from close range charges.

Littleborough responded with tries of their own. First Whittles crashed over for his second try of the game on the left-hand side before Nathan Coop staked his claim for try of the afternoon. A break in his own half by Nathan Mason cut the visitors open and despite the fact that he could have dived over for a try himself, he unselfishly popped the ball out of the tackle to support runner Coop to skirt under the posts.

Prop Mason would not be denied a try of his own as he claimed the last score of an truly entertaining encounter by scooting under his positional rival to score from five metres out.