Littleborough 20 Old Bedians 5

Bedians travelled to Littleborough reeling from unavailability and late wathdrawals but still determined to claim their first league victory of the season against a side with a notoriously good home record. Playing uphill and into the wind, Bedes soon found themselves pinned back in their own quarter by the huge home forwards. From an attacking scrum the 'borough number 8 crashed over from short range, the conversion was missed, 5-0. Bedians responded by showing some good attacking prowess, from a scrum on the halfway line a set-piece backs move was timed to perfection, Mike Gallagher's brave line resulted in him slicing through the home defence like a hot knife through butter. The man from down under then turned on the afterburners, leaving the 'borough full-back grasping at thin air as he scored in the corner, 5-5. The remainder of the 1st half was 'to and fro' with the much bigger 'borough pack driving forwards and Bedians throwing the ball wide, utilising the ever impressive Rob Oliver's speed and guile at every opportunity. As is the case far too often, Bedes didn't manage to convert any of their numerous chances into points and, mainly due to poor tackling technique against bigger men, they conceded two further tries. The second awarded even though the 'Try' scorer got the ball from the Bedians side of a ruck after wandering around the breakdown! Half-time 17-5.
Throughout the second half the two sides cancelled each other out. Bedians enjoyed long spells of posession but in truth, never turned this into the territorial advantage it merited with conditions now in their favour. In a try-less second period the only points came by way of a penalty from Littleborough's fly half. The penalty appeared to be awarded because replacement Pete Kerr got to his feet and picked the ball up too quickly after making a tackle... This from a referee who, before kick off at least, seemed to believe he would manage the breakdown to the letter of the law at all times. Full time 20-5.
Another match that Bedians could have, maybe should have, won ended in disappointment. The attention now turns to what is already looking like a bottom of the table '4 pointer' at home to Windermere next Saturday at Millgate Lane where nothing less than victory will suffice.