Clitheroe Slip Out of Bowl

Clitheroe started their season against Manchester side Old Bedians in the first round of the Lancashire Bowl.

With the delights of leather upon willow and beach holidays still taking precedence for some, the Littlemoor team were forced to field a makeshift looking XV.

Skipper Nathan Peel started in the No.15 shirt whilst there a debut on the wing for Michael McBurney. Greg Birch teamed up with best chum Chris Waddington in the centres with Stu Railton continuing at stand off. Veteran Dave Watson slipped his svelte figure into the scrum half jersey to give some general-ship to the back line.

Up front there was a mixture of experience and youth; in the back row Luke Hayton and Sam Thornber joined up with the evergreen Andrew Rigby, with Jacob Shorrock an eager replacement.
Steve Dowson and Ross Chamberlain were in the boiler room and Andrew Thornber, Adam Penney and Richard Edmondson made up the front row.

Bedians started of the brighter, with their greater cohesiveness showing straight away. When they were through for a try after only 10 minutes there was some touchline trepidation from the Clitheroe faithful.
Undeterred Clitheroe battled onward and were making, unusually for them, some excellent territory with their kicking game. Either, touchfinders to create position, or some teasers, dropping down to confuse the defence.
From deep in their own half one such kick was followed up, and with Birch and Waddington in attendance, it was McBurney who showed good determination to slide over in the corner for a try on debut.
OB’s struck back with a try of their own but more pressure from the Littlemoor men produced a penalty in from of the posts. No problem for dead eye Birch, revelling in his new position of first choice goal kicker.
OB’s grabbed a penalty just on half time to leave it 7-15 at the interval.

By now Clitheroe had lost Waddington, who had limped off to allow Peel into centre and wannabe prop Kieron Keough to full back.
The second period started badly. Two tries within the first 15 minutes effectively sealed the tie for the visitors and although Clitheroe battled hard they were not to trouble the scoreboard again in the match.

Bedians were good value for their win and were good sports on and off the pitch.

So a negative experience? Not a bit of it thinks the Playing Committee. Certain individuals put their hands up for future; Hayton, Shorrock and Thornber Jnr all played well in adversity. McBurney on the wing has a good future ahead. Endmonson at tight head deserves a special mention after a tough afternoon at the coal face – playing out of position he never shirked his duties.

Overall, considering this was the very first run out for the team, there were more pluses than anything else; attitude was spot on, training paddock skills were at the very least attempted at times and sometimes even came off.
There was nothing that could not be corrected over time and with hard work and dedication on the practice field.