Rugby Union: Travis stars in Boro defeat of Heaton Moor

Littleborough Rugby Union Club

30 points from fly half Thomas Travis brushed aside Heaton Moor thirds and preserved Littleborough Rugby Union Club’s unbeaten start to the season.

Coming into the game on the back of two straight wins against Dukinfield and Stockport, Littleborough returned home to put together a determined and clinical performance.

Indeed, it was the Rakewood based outfit who would draw first blood with Travis kicking his first three pointer after Heaton Moor were punished for going offside.

Matt Wild scored his first try of the season with a powerful run.

Heaton Moor replied with two penalties in front of the posts, as Littleborough's ruck discipline let them down.

Fly half Travis punished Heaton Moor with two more penalties before a spark of individual skill set the game alight. Outside centre Aaron Jones, moved from full back for this game, used his acceleration and a strong hand off to evade the tackle of his opposite number before stepping the cover defence to sprint for his second try in consecutive games.

Heaton Moor returned with a well worked reply of their own. The ball was shifted through the hands in the Littleborough 22 with the 14 able to use an overlap to dive in the corner.

After converting a simple penalty 15 metres out, Travis took the game by the scuff of the neck with one of the most fortunate tries he will score all season.

Taking the ball in, he was being held up comfortably by two defenders right in front of the posts, five metres from the line, as they tried to take him to ground. However, they just let go and Travis was able to squirm free to dive over.

Heaton Moor hit back with two penalties, awarded against Littleborough for ruck time offences.

The Littleborough defence was breached by Haeton Moor with a close-range score that could have easily been disallowed for double movement. However, the referee gave the advantage to the delighted Heaton Moor second row.

Littleborough ended any lingering doubts of victory with another try from Travis. A number of well worked pick and drives from Matthew McCormick, Scott Kershaw and Ian Murgatroyd gave Aaron Jones the opportunity to fizz a flat pass to Travis from two yards out. The fly half used his strength to stretch his arm and dab the ball on the try line.

Travis even had time to score again with a drop goal 20 metres out.