Littleborough RUFC thirds 12 - 32 Carrington

Littleborough RUFC thirds title hopes are well and truly gone after a third defeat in a row and another defeat against teams above them in the table.

Coming into the game, much was at sake for both sides as home side Littleborough possessed a real opportunity to dig themselves out a poor run of form and draw table toppers Carrington right into the mix. On the other hand, Carrington had the chance to put a clear 14 points points on their opponents and maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Unfortunately for Boro it was Carrington that left off the field happier as they put Boro to the sword with sparkling break out tries to clinically see off one of their big rivals.

In a even first half, both teams were expectedly nervy and neither could really add the finishing touches to good phase play.

Carrington wnet ahead with a penalty after Littleborough infringed at the breakdown but the only real highlight of the first half came when 60-year-old prop Ian Murgatoyd smashed Carrington's young starlet to the amusement of both Boro and Carrington players alike.

Come the second half though, Carrington's full back would have his revenge with a couple of fabulous long distance efforts after the ball was kicked down his throat by Littleborough.

Boro weren't helped by the pivotal moment of the game as back row Peter Fletcher was unceremoniously sent to the bin for a brutal high tackle on Carrington's star 15.

Carringotn made Boro pay with another couple of tries, one from close range as they finally broke Boro's resistant defence; the second, the same as the majority of the others, from long range.

It was not what Littleborough deserved but in the between the Carrington tries, they found themselves within a sniff of getting an unlikely result as Adam Bracegridle crashed over from close range for his third try in two games. The prop has been in terrific try scoring form collecting his sixth of the campaign, taking him top of the try scoring charts for the third team.

Antony Bamford missed the easiest of conversions in front of the posts. However, he made up for it with a try of his own in the far corner. This time, he perfectly converted the trickiest of kicks, much to the bemusement and astonishment of his team mates.

Despite getting back into the game, Littleborough could not get another score to make the game a tighter affair, instead conceding another long range effort.

Carrington finished the game 32-12 victors to put the final touches on what was an entertaining spectacle between two of the best sides in the division.