Saturday 14th September 19: Littleborough RUFC 38pts vs Marple RUFC 10pts

Boro Club give a big THANKYOU to long serving Groundsmen, Past President David Rawlinson and John Dawson for getting the First Team Pitch in order for today’s opening game of the New Season, after it had suffered dreadful flooding during the severe weather some weeks past. Well done to both of you.

The Visitors Kicked Off and play took place in Boro’s 25metres area until Boro got the ball in hand and made a couple of good strong runs. Then Visitors came back strongly again into Boro’s 5metres area this time which resulted in a conversion Penalty to take the lead after only 15minutes. Then great retaliation from Boro with Winger Nathan Coop sprinting up his wing, after his Threequarters made good ground, to score the first Try of the day which he also converted, after 17minutes. Soon this was followed with the alternative winger Liam Lloyd making a great wing run but again Boro gave away another free kick to Marple, pressure again on Boro. Then good distance kick to touch by Jack Whittles and after good ball handling by Boro Mathew Goldthorpe ran the ball in for Boro’s second Try, no conversion. Now Boro were hitting back in bits and pieces until opposition once again kicked the ball into Boro’s 5metres from which the Referee had to step in to stop a flair up, then good relief kick to touch by Whittles. Straight after, back again on attack came the opposition , Boro’s David Kearns good again in defence, followed by good distance kick forward by Coop followed with Half Time whistle, Score 12pts to 3pts.

Second Half saw Ted Chadwick enter the game which now saw Boro playing down the slight slope and they immediately went on the attack and soon Winger Coop crossed the line again, again no conversion. This was followed with plenty of ball kicking out of hand by both teams. Suddenly Coop over the line for his 3rd Try which he also converted but then was replaced in the team by Andy Roberts. Now Boro very much on top and very soon a further Try came along from Will Armour and converted by George Roberts. Suddenly Ted Chadwick left the field with foot injury and Kearns returned to the game which saw Captain Chris Park, having yet another good game at Fullback, joining the line and making plenty of good runs. Then Whittles off and replaced by Adam Wayne at which time Kearns stepped in on a bad pass by the opposition to run in a further Try f
or Boro, again Roberts converting. Amazingly in the last few minutes Marple had the ball and followed up with a converted breakaway Try, followed with final whistle from the Referee.

Another Win for Boro. their first game in the new league and their younger players are performing really well as indicated by Josh Jones receiving "Man of the Match" with Will Armour hot on his heels. Thanks also to Nathan Coop for his 3 Tries and conversions.

Harry Hanson