The final game of the season and it was perfect rugby weather to boot.
Warrington side Eagle were the visitors, who had a pretty decent season laying a deserved third in the table.
Although Clitheroe knew it would be a stern test, they were fairly confident of putting on a respectable show for the home crowd.
Unluckily for the supporters Eagle had other ideas and aided and abetted by what can be honestly described as a pretty poor first half from the Littlemoor men, left the result almost done and dusted by the interval.
In the huddle the players were slightly embarrassed and non plussed by their collective lack lustre first half and vowed to make amends. It was no use dwelling on what might have been they just had to roll up the sleeves and get on with it.
To their everlasting credit they did just that. The stops were well and truly pulled out and the hand brakes released.
To that end Clitheroe came out fighting, determined to put on a good show for the last 40 minutes of the season.
Soon they were exerting pressure on the Eagle line. An extended period of time and one too scrum collapses too many for the referee’s liking and they were awarded a penalty try. Stu Railton converted and they were off and running.
The back row lads were playing well; evergreen Darren ‘Dazzler’ Eagle the Kiwi import showed what a complete footballer he is, using his skills learnt in the land of the long white cloud to great effect and no little panache.
Luke Hayton on the other flank grew steadily into the game after a quietish first half. The more the game wore on the more influential he became.
After further territorial pressure it was the third man of the triumvirate, blond bombshell Sam Thornber who crashed over for another fine try.
The backs were now getting in on the act, with both wingers, Lewis Hardman & Alex Hough busy and hungry for action along with full back Chris Stewart were constantly probing and sniping at the defence.
In fact it was Stewart who made the initial break for the final try, along the right wing. After some excellent interplay for a full 70 yards it was young Adam Penney [pic] whose little legs had carried him up in a supporting role and was on the receiving end for the scoring pass from about 8 inches out. What a well deserved try for a popular player!
So the sun set on the season, with a partial flourish. Really, as ever, a case of what could have been. Some great performances against the mid ranked teams showed the talent is there if the application, execution and attitude are correct on the day. The results do not do justice to the hard graft showed by a large number of players, who have represented the Club with distinction and dignity, non more so than the Skipper Nathan Peel.