Plate Run Smashed

Clitheroe 1st XV travelled away to Newton le Willows for the second time in the season, this time in the Lancashire Plate competition – they were met with the same boisterous reception both on the pitch and from the touchline as the first time. The Maroon & Gold did not shrink the challenge in any form and matched the home team in the opening exchanges, with some good early pressure leading to the Newton defence being stretched to the point of breaking at times, but just holding out the town team.
It was Newton who started the scoreboard ticking over with a direct running try as is their signature of the way they play the game deep in rugby league country. Clitheroe were not to be perturbed in any way and after the re-start again exerted some good pressure, Newton transgressed and Fitzhenry slotted the penalty – Clitheroe were in the chase at 5 – 3. It was Clitheroe who scored next as the Newton team’s abrasive style threatened to spill over into the wrong side of the rules and the Maroon & Gold went into a slender 5 – 6 lead from another penalty. Again Newton responded well and barged their way up the pitch and scored to get back in front at 10 – 6, however again it was Clitheroe who put the pressure on deep into the home team half as they looked for a try, however again it was Newton who transgressed and Fitzhenry again punished the home team and Clitheroe went into the break a point down at 10 – 9.
After the restart the game bounced back and forth, with Clitheroe dominant in both set pieces of scrum and line out – Ralph Rigby soaring high above his competitors in the lineout and the powerhouse front 5 of Thornber, Holmes, Smith, Farnsworth and Giz Williams taking no prisoners in the scrum. Chamberlain on the blind side was really in the faces of the opposition and played his usual boisterous loose game. While in the back line Smudge Smith was darting and sniping throughout the opening exchanges. His industrious work was rewarded as centres Wadding ton and Bartle smashed their way up the park, aided by full back Kino who was making a welcome return from injury. As the forwards supported the backline to get the ball back quickly Smudge Smith saw a huge gap open up in front of him and did not need the supporting back row trio as he went in to score himself and move Clitheroe into a 10 – 16 lead with 20 minutes to play. At this point Clitheroe could have done with some fresh legs to renew the defence and fortify the attack, however the long injury list meant that only the bulky Lewis Williams could be bought on, and while he manfully led the way in defence and attack Clitheroe were getting tired and slightly sloppy.
Newton capitalised on this and went into all out attack to get back into the cup competition, and their determination paid dividends. With only 2 games to go until the final their renewed vigour and large reserve of players on the bench began to tell and they scored 3 quick tries in the final 15 minutes to run out winners and into the next round at 31 points to 16.
Clitheroe can take great heart in the performance and must be looking forward to taking revenge on Newton le Willows back at Littlemoor in the New Year. Next week the 1st XV host local rivals Pendle in a return to league action and the 2nd XV are also at home to BAE Warton.

by O.McE