Littleborough 6 Blackburn 10

 

BLACKBURN recorded their seventh victory in a row as they secured a 10-6 away win at Littleborough.

This was a very tough game and Littleborough looked far from a team at the bottom of the league, all the points were scored in the first half, with the home side pushing hard to claw Burn back, however Burn just did enough to hang on and keep their unbeaten run going.

It was Burn who had the quickest start as they scored a try after just four minutes. Rob Melling’s strong kick return took play to just outside the Littleborough 22, a couple of phases through the forwards kept Burn moving forward, the ball was then fed out to the backs before the ball was recycled and popped to Liam Oldham who crashed over from 5 metres out. Sam Morgan was unable to convert. After this Littleborough came more into the game as penalties started to push Burn back into their own 22. Littleborough’s tactic of kicking behind their opponents was proving fruitful as they kept Burn on the back foot. A further penalty gave Littleborough a kick at goal on 9 minutes which they gleefully took. On 22 minutes Littleborough took the lead with another penalty kick, they had a chance to increase their lead, but this time they were unsuccessful with the penalty. Then on the stroke of half time Burn had their second try, several phases of play had taken play into the home sides half, the ball was then released out wide where it reached Rick Maudsley just outside the 22, he still had plenty to do, but he managed to show enough pace and strength to stay in play and score in the corner. Again Sam Morgan was unable to convert, however Burn had a 10-6 lead at half time.

Burn were under pressure from the start of the second half, however their defence held strong and kept Littleborough from crossing their line despite the home sides best efforts. Burn’s cause was hampered as Sam Parkinson was sin binned on 51 minutes. Littleborough kept pinning Burn back with their influential fly half continuing with the tactical kicking, yet Burn continued to hold strong and restricted Littleborough to a penalty kick at goal which they were unable to take. As the game drew to an end Burn began to gain more possession and spent more time in Borough’s half, this enabled them to restrict anymore danger and the game ended 10-6 to Burn.

Littleborough were strong and pushed their opponents, Burn will be disappointed that they were not at their best again, yet they defended well and didn’t give into the pressure Littleborough exerted. Burn will take heart as they are at times not playing to their potential, yet they are grinding out results, this is a game Burn could have lost.