North faced an extremely strong Littleborough side last Saturday knowing victory would secure promotion. North were dealt a blow before the game with the news that centre Dave Vickers would be ruled out for a month with a rib injury picked up the previous week at Rossendale, but apart from that had a full strength squad to choose from.

Littleborough had not lost a game since last year, a winning streak that had included two victories against the only team to have beaten North in the league this season, Sale, so North knew they were in for a tough game. The nerves were eased as early as the first minute when try-machine Steve Donoghue received the ball deep inside his own half. The speedy youngster powered through several tackles in a 60 metre run that ended under the posts for the try. The kick was a formality for a man of John Eady’s ability and North led 7-0.

Littleborough were a good team with strong runners all over the park, and their big pack was providing the backs with plenty of ball. North’s defence was excellent with Chris Hyland and Aaron Duoba putting in plenty of fine tackles. Both players then showcased their attacking skills to give North a healthy lead at halftime. Centre Hyland ran in from 30 metres after good work by Captain Gary Pugh. Fly half Eady converted to make it 14-0. North’s forwards created the next try after a great run by Lock Kev Green. Excellent rucking by North allowed scrum-half Matthew Wallace to float a pass out to Player Coach Andy Donley. Donley fired a 10 metre miss pass out to winger Aaron Duoba to exploit the overlap and allow the youngster an easy run-in for the try. Once again John Eady added the conversion to give North a healthy 21-0 halftime lead.

Littleborough continued to pressure in the second half using a tactical kicking game to keep North within their own half. Full back Scott Danby was under immense pressure but excelled with several outstanding catches to relieve the pressure on the North line. Danby set up North’s next try after collecting a high kick in his own 22. The full back skipped around the chasing defenders and stormed down the left wing before passing to Steve Donoghue on the halfway line. Donoghue cut in off his wing and raced towards the oppositions 22. The winger was tackled but had support runner Chris Taylor on hand who ran in to score in the corner. A difficult kick was missed but North led 26-0.

No 8 Chris Taylor added his second try of the afternoon after a Littleborough clearance kick was charged down by Lock Kev Green. Green broke from the back of a maul and dived at the feet of the opposition player. The ball bounced awkwardly but the big second rower quickly regained his feet before safely diving on the ball and unselfishly releasing Taylor who dived over the line for a converted try.

Scott Danby secured his ECT Communications man of the mach award with a superb try in the closing stages. The full back collected a kick on the halfway line and exchanged passes with hooker Luke Corrigan and sprinted away from the chasing defence to score in the corner and leave the final score 38-0. With the victory North had secured promotion but the celebrations were put on hold until the 29th April when North will play Sale, in what will probably be the league decider.