Second win on the trot

Clitheroe 1st XV made the short trip over the hill to face local rivals Pendle Phoenix, which in recent years has produced some great games, notably the reverse fixture this season back in December when the teams ended the 80 minutes with a draw. The Maroon & Gold were looking to squeeze out a few more points and secure a win, while their hosts were defending their fearsome home record. The relief of the temperature being a few degrees colder than recent days saw both teams going at it hammer and tongs from the off. Some good spurts of rugby from both teams saw the try lines at either end of the pitch threatened, but eventually it was Kino who burst through from 15 metres out after quick ruck ball from the forwards. Conversion taken and 7 points up, Clitheroe were now buoyant and looked to run everything at the home team to capitalise on their advantage of a slight down hill slope and the wind behind them. Great runs from Railton in the centres and Fitzhenry from full-back plus the exertions of both wing men Birch and Waterworth meant Clitheroe were on the front foot for much of the first half. with the resolute forwards as dependable as ever in securing the ruck ball for the back line to strut their stuff – aggressive rucking from Hough and Atkinson in particular showed dividends. However, it was Pendle who scored next with a try out wide after some typically forceful running from both backs and forward, they went in again shortly after but with only one conversion taken it was only a 5 point deficit as the teams headed into half time at 12 – 7.
Into the second half and it was up the hill and in to the wind for the Maroon & Gold men, and Pendle looked to take advantage pressing hard into Clitheroe territory and their efforts paid dividends. The tight five had the hosts completely mastered at scrum time, with the front row of Penny, Atkinson and Graves being bolstered by locks Hough and Jim Smith the Pendle scrum was in reverse for most of the afternoon. However, their ascendancy nearly proved to be their undoing – as after Pendle ran out of props and the scrums went uncontested with 30 minutes to go. At this Clitheroe appeared to get bogged down and Pendle took advantage of some forlorn tackling to score two deserved tries and move into a 24 – 7 lead with a further conversion.
Fifteen minutes to play and 17 points behind making even those with a Maroon & Gold hue to their glasses think a mighty comeback was probably out of the question. However, the Clitheroe men adopted a never say die attitude and after forceful running and ball recycling they entered the Pendle half with the back line now screaming for the ball out wide – Watson to Railton, Railton to Peel and a lofted pass to Dickinson who turned on the gas to break the defensive line and fly up the wing. Hauled down within inches of the line, Greg Birch scooped the ball from his hands to touch down. Only 12 points the deficit, Clitheroe now began to play their open running game and looked sharp as the likes of Nathan Carlton drove up the pitch, aided and abetted by Chamberlain and Kino. Clitheroe pressed into the Pendle half again and lost the ball in contact, Pendle took the opportunity to counter attack and bounded back into the Clitheroe half. A great steel of the ball saw it popped to Dan Smith who scooted on a mazy run up the pitch to score near the posts, with the conversion taken the deficit now down to 5 points and again Clitheroe pounded up the pitch. A set scrum and the simplest of moves saw Kino break into the line and score under the posts, Fitzhenry slotted the conversion and the referee blew the whistle – Clitheroe victorious for the second week running and posting their first win away at Pendle. Some excellent play and great attitude won the day for the Maroon & Gold men – something they need to take into their final 2 games of the 2011/12 season to round it off in style. A rest weekend next week before the tough trip to Ashton on 14th April for the 1st XV, while for those who can’t wait that long, there is the 2nd XV match at Littlemoor against Chorley to savour on Easter Saturday – 3 pm kick off.

by O.McE.