LITTLEBOROUGH, AWAY, MARCH 19

As seasoned gamblers will tell you, studying the form is not always enough. Often it doesn’t scratch the surface. Residual knowledge, a hinterland, possibly some inside information and a feel for the conditions are all hugely helpful in emboldening the small print. That said, the joyful sound of moaning bookies was still hanging in the spring air as Toc arrived at the bucolic Littleborough to bookend Cheltenham Festival week.

The form guide went out of the window at Rakewood Road. A cursory glance at Littleborough’s recent results made for some interesting reading. Tight outings against Colne and Nelson and Burnley and a crushing 60-point defeat in the Intermediate Cup (West Leeds must be some side) suggested a team not functioning at its peak. On the flip side Toc H, much improved in recent weeks, were coming into the game after beating one of the outstanding three teams in the division. But whereas Tarleton followed up their defeat last week at Simon Field with an excellent 36-34 win against top-of-the-league Trafford MV, Toc didn’t kick on in the same way.

Such a wide scoreline looked inconceivable after half an hour. The visitors were comfortable defensively, had dominated the set-piece, and their backs looked dangerous every time they got quick ball. That was evident in the opening try from Enita Okodiko who was outstanding throughout. Off the top ball from the back of the lineout gave captain Dave Hoare room to break the line and Toc soon had a four-on-one on the full-back which, inexplicably, he almost managed to defend before Okodiko sneaked over in the corner. Truth is it should have been a 'walk-in', not a fight for the corner, and that lack of precision in Toc’s execution in the final third provided a warning of what was to come. Either side of that try Toc wasted three, arguably four, clear-cut try scoring opportunities.

From that point on every time Toc managed to work themselves into decent attacking positions a combination of poor decision-making and Littleborough’s organised defence put pressure on the ball carriers and the team’s work at the breakdown. As the game wore on, the growing influence of the hosts’ enviable kicking game, particularly accurate from their half-backs and inside centre, made it increasingly difficult for Toc to earn access to key areas of the pitch.

Littleborough’s tactical awareness, defensive discipline and versatility were impressive. They were happy to soak up pressure before turning over the ball and moving it efficiently to threatening areas. At times they played direct, at others they would offload and keep the ball alive. Nearly all the time they played with good natural width. In that respect they are much like Tarleton and Trafford, both very capable with ball in hand. Most of Littleborough's tries were opportunistic, which is far from a criticism: they exposed turnover ball very well and attacked with alacrity and patience. Toc’s issue should rest with how easily and repeatedly the ball was turned over.

Littleborough’s error count decreased in the second half - the most obvious mistake they did make allowed centre Tom Makin to show a good turn of pace and sprint in from the half-way line. That made made the score 27-12 with 15 minutes to go and even then, Toc created some good overlaps and opportunities which they failed to utilise.

Despite this result, it is important for Toc not to become too downhearted. In many ways the scoreline was flattering to the hosts and some curious refereeing decisions, particularly at the scrum and breakdown, could quite easily have gone the other way. The fact remains that this Toc side is steadily improving and considering the players who retired at the end of last season and the number of unavailabilities, it is a credit that the team is able to match the best sides in the division for long periods.

Trailing 15-5 at half-time to Littleborough, a side rightly challenging for promotion, was not a fair refection of the balance of play. The loss of influential centre Steve Bastock to a hamstring injury shortly before the break further upset the shape of the side. At that stage Toc were leading and looking threatening but as an attacking unit they struggled to play with the same fluidity and accuracy once the Scot had left the pitch. Two more influential forwards came off injured in the second half adding their names to a lengthening list of doubtfuls and unavailabilties for this Friday’s game against a rejuvenated Burnley. Like Toc, they had a difficult weekend, losing 38-18 at Orrell but their lofty league position tells its own story. And besides, you can’t trust the form guide.

Next game: Burnley, home, 3pm, March 25th, Good Friday.

Written by: Jamie Peacock