Littleborough vs Kendal Development

The team was thrilled to welcome back Mark Carruthers, Willy Hintz and Blake Robinson. Three quality young players further strengthening an already skilled and confident team.

The journey down the M6 and M62 took a strange twist when the Sat Nav insisted it be taken up a narrow county lane to a random Farm! The lads eventually arrived upon the sports ground, only to be confronted with a pitch that was sodden from a full day of persistent rain.

The team started really well, but not quite being able to convert the opening chances. Nathan Woof calmed the early nerves by slotting home a penalty after 15 mins.

It was quite notable that as a large, physical team, Littleborough enjoyed celebrating every good hit on a Kendal player. However, relentless pressure by Kendal gaining territory took its toll on the home team and Captain Rob Wightman led from the front and breached the try line from a well-executed driven line out.

More of the same pressure allowed Nathan Wooff some space to beat his opposite man in a one-on-one situation to score and with both tries remaining unconverted, the scoreboard showed 0-13 at half-time.

Coach Rob Quarry’s team talk was simple and straightforward: 1. Keep your feet on ground, 2. keep working hard, 3. the breaks WILL come…

Despite these wise words, Littleborough caught Kendal on the hop almost immediately in the first minute of the second half, manufacturing a score “straight from the training ground” with a cross-field kick to their unmarked winger.

Knuckling down to what they do best, Kendal’s young, fit pack brought pressure to bear on their opposite numbers, wearing down the Littleborough pack and driving them relentlessly backwards. After several infringements, the Referee eventually lost patience with them and rewarded Kendal’s efforts with a penalty try.

Showing some class running, Dan Wilson scored a great individual try in the corner, beating not only his opposite man, but also the full-back!

With the game all but over, a lapse in Kendal’s otherwise excellent concentration allowed the Littleborough pack to score push-over try in the last seconds of the game.

Final score 12-25.

Coach Rob Quarry’s Perspective: “A Brilliant result in a must-win game. Littleborough are 3rd place in the league, pushing for promotion and unbeaten at home until they met the might of Kendal! Big games require big game players and we have plenty in our squad.”

Kendal 2nds, seeking a League and Cup double, welcome Glossop 2nds to Mint Bridge in the “Brooke Edgley Technical Services Trophy” quarter final match on Saturday at 2.15pm.