Rugby Union: Wilmslow Thirds 26 - 26 Littleborough Thirds

Littleborough Rugby Union Third's team

A missed conversion from Tom Travis in the last play of the game denied Littleborough Rugby Union Thirds a hugely significant victory over title rivals Wilmslow.

After centre Gareth Sharrocks levelled the scores at 26 all with a try in the final phase of the match, it put huge pressure on fly half Travis to convert the kick.

Unfortunately for the Littleborough side he was not as successful as Jonny Sexton had been a few weeks earlier and both teams left the field disappointed at what could have been.

Littleborough and Wilmslow's respective third teams have been fighting all season for the place at the top of the table, with the former top of the table by two points with two games in hand.

Wilmslow started the better of the two sides in what would become a game of cat and mouse. First Wilmslow took advantage of a nervous Littleborough side with a well worked try down the blindside before Littleborough replied through hooker Scott Kershaw. In only his first five pointer of the season that try from a close range burst off the ruck would be vital in keeping Littleborough in the contest.

Back came Wilmslow as they took advantage of some Littleborough ill-discipline to score two penalty tries in between a Littleborough try from Jason Clegg.

In the process of the second penalty try, Littleborough were reduced to 14 men as full back Konrad Hill saw yellow.

Wilmslow failed to register any further points in those 10 minutes and were made to pay for lack of cutting edge as Hill made up for his previous error with a try.

In the closing stages of the match, and with the game evenly poised, and an opportunity to take a huge step towards the title, it was Littleborough who blinked first as the Wilmslow scrum half darted over for a try.

Littleborough found way back in difficult circumstances as Alex Sutcliffe put Sharrocks into space and he finished off the rest to level the scores, presenting Travis with a glorious opportunity to be the hero - he falied to take it .

With the two point difference, two games in hand, the advantage remains with Littleborough.