Fleetwood 2XV v Littleborough 2XV

Fleetwood 2's 31-25 Littleborough 2's

Following last week's victory Fleet were confident they could repeat the process again against a big Littleborough side. The early exchanges were dominated by the home forwards and Fleet enjoyed plenty of possession who linked well with the backs, Betty showing his pace crossing the whitewash and Jackson converting, 7-0 Fleetwood. Almost immediately Boro responded with their forwards hitting back and providing a platform for their fly-half to chip over the defence to touch down, conversion missed, 7-5 Fleetwood.
The next move saw Betty beating players in midfield before shipping it out to Green who burst down the wing to score, conversion missed 12-5 Fleetwood. However, Betty injured himself in the process after being hit by the centre, ligament damage to the ankle for his efforts. Boro then had a player 'binned' for failing to release the ball, and Fleet capitalised on the player advantage with returning back-rower Barnes charging a clearance down and pouncing on the lose ball to score, 17-5 to Fleetwood at half time
Despite their first half dominance Fleet were caught cold as Boro decided that all out attack would pay dividends which it did, the defence falling asleep to allow a try and conversion, 17-12. This stirred the home side into a response, a well worked move by scrum half Gornall who chipped into open space allowed flanker Maddern to scoop up the ball and race 50 yards to score under the posts, Jackson converting, Fleet 24-12 to the good.
If Fleet thought the game was now in the bag Boro had other ideas, indiscipline and handling errors were starting to cost Fleet. No surprises when a further try and conversion followed, 24-19. Nerves were fraying even further Boro capitalised on yet another soft penalty, 24-22. The referee was by now losing patience with some of the home players, another penalty and Boro had pulled the game back, 24-25 to the good. Manager Jefferson was now convinced that Fleet were attempting to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!! Further frustration followed, as winger Keagan was binned for failing to release the ball. Alas, a final twist in the remaining minutes saw the ball reach young Stapleton who burst down the wing dumping the defender on the floor before rounding 2 more would be tacklers touching down under the sticks. Jackson slotted the conversion, making it 31-25 to Fleetwood.
Overall, a frustrating day for both players and spectators. Performances worthy of note- prop Foden who scrummaged well stole ball at the breakdown, alongside Barnes, Benny and Maddern working well as a back row, but the player that edged it was scrum half Gornall who was always busy in attack and defence.
Next week Fleet entertain Southport.

Report by Dan Jefferson