Littleborough 24 Fleetwood 8: Match report
However, the hosts were much-improved and executed their chances with clinical finishing, whereas Fleetwood struggled to break through a resolute defence despite long periods of possession.
Littleborough took the lead from a lineout after five minutes, when a kick by their fly-half was collected by their left winger, who passed inside for an unconverted try.
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Hide AdScott Richardson missed his first penalty attempt for the Green and Golds but landed his second following a high tackle on James Torkington to cut the deficit to 5-3.
Veteran Matthew Larkin made a good contribution in an unfamiliar scrum-half role but half-back partner Richardson was yellow-carded for a high tackle.
Littleborough scored from a five-metre scrum and the conversion made it 12-3 inside the first 20 minutes. Chris Jones’ excellent tackle denied Littleborough but Fleet lost Scott Dobbie and Karl Bowling to injury.
Fleet kicked a penalty into the corner and Jones crashed over to make it 12-8 on 36 minutes but there was still time before the break for the hosts to add a third try to lead 17-8.
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Hide AdThe visitors pounded the line but were denied by excellent defence and suffered further injuries to Jones and Owen Brown.
Richardson was sin-binned for the second time, for a technical offence, and a penalty try completed the scoring.
Fleetwood must regroup for Saturday’s visit to Aldwinians but the spirit remains upbeat.
IAN CAMERON