Victory eludes a spirited Fleet

The visitors arrived strengthened by the postponement of their first team fixture. From the first whistle Fleet failed to catch the ball, it quickly became a bit of an error strewn affair. Despite this No. 8 Smith was playing his usual go forward type of game but all too often the support was not on hand. The green and golds had plenty of defending to do as their slicker opposition backs were showing great pace. Indeed, the deadlock was broken as the Boro centre cut straight up the middle to score, extras added 7-0 down. Fleet looked to create chances, young hooker Heer was taken high, the resultant penalty missed by Jackson. This spurred the home side into action with full back Stelfox showing his quick feet, Smith found the gaps and drove forward linking well with winger Birks and the supporting flanker Jones. Although the effort fell short the ball was fed out to Kerr from the resulting scrum, who neatly off-loaded for Smith to score, Jackson nudging the extras to make it 7-7, game on. Unfortunately, Boro had other ideas as they spun the ball out wide to bag another try and conversion, 14-7. At half-time Fleet made a couple of changes due to injuries.

Almost immediately Boro increased their lead easily scoring a try and conversion, making it 24-7. The referee then provided the green and golds with an advantage as he showed a yellow card to the opposition flanker. This provided Fleet with the inspiration to exert pressure, a break from Jones saw him race from the half way line to score with Jackson adding the extras 24-14 down. Just when it seemed like this would be a turning point to overcome the deficit Boro hit back with a further unconverted try making it 29-14. By now the green and gold contingent were having to shuffle players around as more injuries were occurring. Then to add more woe for Fleet a penalty was awarded against them which Boro accepted, 32-14 down. In the dying minutes of the clash Fleet threw the proverbial 'kitchen sink' at the visitors, Jackson in the thick of it charging forward with Smith eventually on hand to score his second try, making it a final score of 32-19.

On the day despite their gritty determination and defending, Fleet were undone by a well drilled Littleborough side, they conceded too many penalties and at times the support play was not of a high enough standard. That said, the green and gold machine put in a massive effort and showed commitment throughout the game. For his running with ball in hand, tackling and scoring two tries No. 8 Smith was judged as the man of the match. Next week the unknown men that represent North West Mercenaries make the trip to Fleetwood.

Report by Dan Jefferson