Manchester Society referee John Littleton wrote recently to the Lancashire RFU regarding the Lancashire & Cheshire Colts League.

“Given that I have often complained in the past about declining attitudes, I am particularly pleased to bring to as wide an audience as possible a situation I recently encountered at Fleetwood RFC. I was asked to referee their U13 Lancs Plate semi final against Tarleton, who turned up with only 11 fit players whilst Fleetwood had 22 (15 plus 7 reserves).

“Tarleton were happy to play 15 versus 11, but Fleetwood pointed out that the regulations did not allow for that possibility and volunteered to lend Tarleton four players. The Tarleton coach said, ‘But that means that we forfeit the game and we don’t want to do that.’

The Fleetwood coach was equally adamant - ‘No. The result of the game will stand.’

“The game was extremely closely fought throughout and, with Tarleton 17-10 down with five minutes remaining, the Tarleton captain raced clear to score near the posts. Unfortunately, the poor chap got confused and grounded the ball over the 5-metre line and not the try line. The chance to even the score was lost and Fleetwood ran in a couple of converted tries in the last five minutes to leave the score at 31-10 at the end. A truly great game enjoyed by everyone.

“I would like to commend the U13 coach at Fleetwood for his attitude and for teaching his side about the ‘spirit of the game’. If there is an award for good sporting behaviour then, on this evidence, it must surely
be awarded.”