Rugby Union: Littleborough Rugby Union Second team season review

Littleborough Rugby Union Second team

Littleborough Rugby Union second team, coming so close to gaining promotion last season, were always going to find it difficult to replicate the same form in such an even division where as many as five teams all held realistic title aspirations.

Though Littleborough fell narrowly short, this year in many ways has been more success-ful than the last.

Littleborough encountered title rivals Bolton, Southport, eventual promotion winners Sedgeley Park and Kendal within the opening two months.

Losses in these games left an ominous road ahead and put Littleborough immediately on the back foot.

Depite all this there was a calm atmosphere and approach that fuelled the Littleborough fire for the rest of the season. 

November, December and January oversaw a six-game winning streak against teams such as West Park St Helens, Fleetwood, revenge on Bolton as well as the performance of the season at Leigh. At this level, winning away by any margin is a big achievement but to put Leigh to the slaughter with seven tries of high quality was extra special. A perfect way to end 2016.

As the season neared the final leg, Littleborough’s fortune went too. A cruel loss in the cup semi-final away at Northwich despite drawing the game 14 all, was compounded by defeats home and away to a Vale of Lune third side, which unti bolstered by a significant number of first and second team players had only one won of their first 14 matches.

The title fight was over - Littleborough had to settle for fourth.

The season has seen an improvement in squad cohesion and stability amongst the second team, even when a number of players have been called up to the first team. Players such as Josh Ellidge, Joel Rawlinson, Paul Fino and Chris Collins have played their fair share of matches for both first and second teams this season.

Littleborough second team will be looking make it third time lucky next season.