The league leaders were the visitors to Littlemoor on Saturday. Just about sure of a top place finish anyway, they knew they needed a win to be almost mathematically sure of promotion.
And so it proved, but it wasn't that the home team made it easy for them. They matched them toe to toe in most aspects of the game and perhaps the final score was slightly flattering to the visitors, their celebration at the final whistle gave some clue of how they were forced to work for it.

A typical early April day in the Ribble Valley [!] , dry with occasional glimpses of the sun but a cool sou'westerly sneaking up the valley to keep the spectators muffled up.
Consistency of selection has been the Achilles heel for coaches this season; injuries and unavailability's a constant headache. As it was a few positional changes were enforced for this weekend. Nathon Burns moved into the back row allowing Rory Campbell to start at 9. Jack Stanley [aka the Disco King] was in the centre and Ben Wheale , sometime centre, sometime back row...found himself on the wing.

A decent enough start for the home team; taking the game to the vaunted visitors. Some good surges from the supertankers Adam Wood [Mr Consistency this season] and Pete 'Wombat' Mitchell, made some useful yardage and eventually a penalty was on on offer.
Three points in the bag courtesy of Nathon Burns' right boot. So far - so good.
However Dukinfield rumbled over for a try in reply. And converted it to boot, to put them in a lead at half time, they wouldn't surrender.

The second half was three tries to nowt for the visitors. One way traffic? Well not really. On paper yes, but they were made to work for the entire 80 minutes. There was no surrender from the maroons. But Duk had a fairly simple and effective game plan which has served them well this season. A bulky pack who are very experienced and get on the front foot and are hard to disrupt. They kept the ball well and used the forwards to eventually subdue the defence, before delivering the coup du grace.
All in all defeated and disappointed but not disgraced or down hearted, by the league leaders on this occasion.

Still a final flourish of the season to come; the Annual Dinner, Presidents Day, the Tour to the wilds of Scotland. But first a mouthwatering rescheduled league fixture at Burnley on the 23rd April