Half term weekend, but Burnley still manage to play games right through from U7'S to U16's even with injuries, holidays and illness effecting each team, its great there was still enough volunteers to organise the sides and players to play.... Well Done All. The Club would still welcome and boys and girls to join the sides, for more information contact 07988 122186.

Well done again. Fantastic turnout for the under 7s & 8s. Some confusion at the start of the first game by our boys regarding passing. But great work. All the boys there did fantastic. Lots of fun. Great to see Harry Roberts back well done buddy. Let’s remind all our boys to listen when coaching are talking. Have a lovely half term & we look forward to next week. Under 7s - Lukas, Jude, Jamie, Joseph, Fynn, Xander, Forrest, Billy, Taylor, Cain, Jack. Under 8s - Luke, Alfie, Fletcher, Cole.

The Under 9's Player of the match was Lucca Murgatroyd and Top Tackler Dan Jackson led the way in Sunday's fixture v Garstang. Even stevens early on, Burnley then began to pull away in the second and third games, scoring at will and puttting in some thumping tackles. Some typically mazy running from Charlotte and powerful runs/hits from Oscar were well supported by all the team, with Hayden giving his all, and Jack and Elliot adding some extra firepower from the back.

U10's - Outstanding performance Sunday 100% improvement from last week. Playing 4x10 mins, Garstang were great hosts and the games smooth and well balanced. Burnley started the strongest in the first quarter, tries and strong runs from Ray and Jayke, good support from Keaton and James. Breaghan was a tackling machine with Harrison backing up with excellent rucking. Both sides then became evenly matched, not shying away from rucks this week, Lois got stuck in, with encouragement throughout the team, great spirit. New Player Ashton grabbed player of the week, only his second game for the club. Overall performance excellent. Squad - Harrison, Jayke, Ray, James, Ethan, Lois, Breaghan, Ashton, Keaton, Gabriel.

Under 11s captained by Lukas played a much bigger side today, but used their skill and speed to more than match Garstang, a couple of long range efforts from Charlotte, some mazy runs from Harry, Niamh and Fraser, some good handling by Rico to realise Tomas and Jack. A rucking master class from Becca, Noah and Tommy, followed by 5 tries from Austen made for a good day at the office. The good numbers at training reflects the improvements on the pitch every week.

The U12’s were playing in the Lancashire Cup today hosted by Rossendale, supposedly with us Rochdale & Bolton, but Bolton cried off & withdrew so we were down to play the hosts & Rochdale in 2 x 20 min games. We were hit with the curse of the half-term today, but still travelled with 9 of our squad of 15, and more significantly no player of any sort of pace was out there, so after a run of 30 tries to 1 from our last 3 games, today was a big wake up call & complete reversal.
Both opposition teams had full squads to pick from so were fresh all the way through, the size of pitch was more suited to 12 per side as should have been so we were at a disadvantage straight away, so Rossendale first & they must have been dreading it, being on the end of some horrendous beatings by us in recent months, both teams sick of the site of each other, but after a few minutes & realisation they could just cruise round the outside of our leaden-footed defence, they were relishing it, they were 3 tries up in no time, Burnley didn’t help themselves by repeatedly turning the ball over in the ruck & the dose kept being repeated, our handling was good with ball in hand but when it broke down, the ball went with it. Myles did get away after a move involving Harry & Archie & gave us some hope at the turnaround. The tries kept coming in the second spell as now our central defence was losing interest where large gaps & half-tackles were creeping in & our large lads were having to do a lot more running & chasing than usual, they were out on their feet by now, they are used to seeing the whites of the eyes & in their faces when playing Rossendale but today were just gazing at backs of shirts as they kept racing away. Rossendales tackling was buoyed by all this & had visibly stiffened up, we couldn’t find a way through no matter what, heads were dropping but Harry eventually battered his way to the line at the end to make the score a little more respectable, we think it was 7-2 to the opposition but we’d lost count, a lot of shell-shocked faces on our lads at the end of that.
Rochdale next & worse was to come, they had even faster players so they waltzed around us with even more ease, we tried to contain them in the middle but too much ball turned over again & then our short kick offs were a gift to just put the burners on & bye bye Burnley. Once again we were excellent with ball in hand & got into some threatening positions but from the break-down we couldn’t compete & all the hard work was undone, they were dropping off tackles now as interest was waning & were resorting to shirt pulls, this was a harsh medicine to take for our kids, they weren’t used to this. Harry & Myles were working hard punching holes & gaining ground but were completely exhausted, in the end we managed a consolation try after good approach work from Harry, Rossi & Archie managed to get Henry over in the corner. It ended there, thankfully for all our team, parents & supporters, & think it was 8-1 to Rochdale, the lads just wanted to get away & get home after that, don’t blame them, not a good day at the office I think you can say?
There were some positives though out of all that, some of the more inexperienced lads had to stand up & be counted & get involved far more than they ever do normally, notably Charlie who really impressed with some fierce runs & that determined look on his face we have to see a lot more of, he held the ball more securely & I’m sure suddenly realised that he can compete with anyone here, Mathew found it hard initially to get into the correct position to be able to get the ball but when pushed a bit harder started to relish a bit of space, Guy ran all morning & was very elusive today, he improves every game. Well done to all the lads for just keeping going though, they never gave up to their credit, we just need the numbers to be there every week otherwise it’s all watered down. Back to work at training on Wednesday, have a good half-term guys!
Squad: Myles, Henry, Charlie, Guy, Jacob F, Mathew, Harry, Rossi, Archie.

U13's had a fantastic 9 tries to 8 win with Jawed getting the winning try with the last play of the match
We had 8 players and were lent 3 players off Garstang, thankyou. At the start of the game we got 4 early tries and ended the half with a comfortable 6-2 lead.
In the second half we let Garstang back into it by missing a few important tackles but the lads showed great fight and courage to keep going right to the end and get the well deserved win
The team was Harrison, Tom, Thomas, Zac, Myc, Charlie H, Charlie C and Jawed
Try scorers Harrison, Zac, Jawed, Myc and Charlie C.

Great game for the under 13s girls who teamed up with West Park St. Helens to play Littleborough/Old Crocs Halifax.
Amelia Eleanor, Tillie and Charley turned out for Burnley playing 12 a side on almost a full size pitch winning 12-1 and although that seems one sided they really had to work for every score.
Defensively they were brilliant all making numerous tackles throughout the game and all running hard with ball in hand when attacking with Amelia scoring twice.
The girls are having a break next week as they are having a team bonding day going to watch England girls under 18s v Scotland at Preston. Free entry if any one else wants to come.

The U16's had their last group match in the Lancashire matches. In the 2nd half tries by Liam Bythell and Cameron Downey, were not enough as a well drilled Liverpool team beat our U16s in deepest darkest Merseyside. 3 soft first half tries and 2 soft tries late in the second half made the final score 47 to 12. Finally signs of life in the U16's digging deep and not rolling over. Key players out due to holidays and injury left us under strength, but the lads playing should desire and move onto a home game next week against Aldwinians.