Clitheroe entertained league leaders Manchester Medics at Littlemoor on Saturday, slick handling and rapid support play is the Medics stock in trade – but with Littlemoor only just holding up against a tough winter this was always going to be a war of attrition.
Medics kicked off and Clitheroe gathered and retained the ball, moving it through the hands of backs and forwards with some good rucking and sensible running lines from the backs. However it was Medics who opened the scoring with a well worked try after they snaffled the ball from the clutches of the Maroon & Gold forwards in their own 22, and several breakdowns later they dotted down under the posts to go 0 -7 up. Clitheroe responded and took the game to the Medics for a good period thereafter and with some excellent linked running from backs and forwards alike, with the 9 & 10 partnership of Dan Smith and Dave Watson bossing the forwards and backline alike. Good pressure led to a penalty in kickable range for Clitheroe, but the kick sailed wide in a very strong wind. However, Clitheroe did not have to wait long before they got on the scoreboard. A further Medics transgression at the ruck gave the home team 3 points when Dec Fitzhenry stepped up and slotted, 3 -7.
Medics scored next with an unconverted try, again coming from their slick backline with quick hands and good support play – as half time beckoned the score was 12 -3 and the visitors were starting to look strong, finishing the half in command of the game. However, Clitheroe were not out of it and played some good rugby in the conditions – with Ross Chamberlain having his usual strong game and the second rows of Bob Wilkinson and Rick Edmondson rucking and talking like extra back row players. After the turn around it was Clitheroe’s turn to face the biting wind and this meant a change in their tactics – namely to play with more ball in hand and grind their way up the pitch. With openside flanker Ralph Rigby in the sin bin for not rolling away at the tackle (a card that could have gone either way throughout the game) the Medics turned on the heat in attack to capitalise on the shortage of manpower in the home team. Two tries followed in quick succession and with the score now on 24 – 3 with 30 minutes to play many a team would have capitulated and Medics could have gone on to score a hat-full of points. However, the Maroon & Gold dug in and started to play some fluid rugby, with Rigby back in the fray and back at a full 15, the fresh legs of Baz Barrett on the wing and Aaron Atkinson in the pack who replaced James Waterworth and Ben Graves respectively the home team pushed into the Medics half. Secure ruck ball after a succession of driving rucks saw the ball spun out down the line with Nathan Peel darting to and fro with pace into the Medics defence. Quick ruck ball again courtesy of the hard work of Roger Holmes and Jim Smith gave prop Atkinson the chance to run at the defence at full cry. With the forwards there to back him up the ball again came out and then passed through 5 sets of hands in the back line as Fitzhenry scooted up from full back to pop it out to the clinical finisher that is Chris Waddington on the wing – who scored out wide to drag the score back to 8 – 24.
Clitheroe continued to press and finished the match the stronger team, however it was Medics who had the final say as Clitheroe threw everything into attack it left them open behind and the visitors secured their win with an unconverted score out wide. As the bitterly cold wind blew the final whistle went with the score 8 – 29.
Defeat is never pleasing to any team, however both Captain and Coach were very happy with the style of play and the tenacity with which the Maroon & Gold men stuck to the task against a very classy and skilful team.
Next week Clitheroe 1st XV visit Mossley Hill, while the 2nd due to hand out some Littlemoor hospitality to visitors Chorley.