Saturday 12th October 19: Burnley RUFC 17pts v Littleborough RUFC 13pts

Boro kicked off the match in good fine weather, the first in many a day and started well with a good attacking run by second row Henry Ashworth, then followed with a good distance kick to touch in their opponents half by Out Half Nathan Coop, creating early pressure by Boro. This early pressure payed-off as after only 5minutes play Boro were awarded a penalty and went 3points up with a conversion from Nathan Coop, good start.

Then Host team got into the match and took play up into Boro’s 22metres area but Boro took over again and took play back into Host team half where once again they were awarded a penalty and once again the positive boot of Coop took Boro into a 6points lead. Unfortunately, the Host team started to take over the game and as a result, after 15minutes play they themselves converted a penalty to reduce Boro’s lead to only 3points. Play now almost constant in Boro’s half and the Host team had constant ball possession, which they used to their benefit by a chip kick forward resulted in the game’s first Try and conversion by Host to place them 4points ahead, 10pts to 6pts after 22minutes play. Soon after play was held up for injury to Boro’s Kearns and also Boro used the stoppage to change a couple of players. Now Boro once again back in their own 5metres area but
fortunately, the Referee awarded Boro a penalty kick, which once again was well placed in touch upfield by Coop. This reposition in play area gave a positive effect for Boro and a moment of good ball passing play by them resulted in Kearns running in Boro’s only Try of the afternoon, which Coop converted for Boro to take back the lead, 10pts to 13pts. Shortly after the Host team missed a penalty kick and the half time whistle came with Boro still in the lead by 3points.

The second half was dominated by Host pressure with constant ball possession, whilst Boro made life difficult for the opposition with Coop making good distance kicks to touch and play held up for attention to injured Sam Dickinson, who unfortunately had to leave the field of play. Then Boro’s Captain Chris Park made a good distance pass to Winger Liam Lloyd , who normally turns in a good turn of speed up his wing but unfortunately was strongly tackled immediately he received the ball and to top it all Boro missed quite a distance penalty kick during this period. So Boro, still under pressure in their own half and putting in constant strong tackles, did look like they would see the game out on top in points but not to be, with very few minutes of play left the Host team finally managed to cross the line and add the conversion, hard luck Boro.!