It's hard ruck for Clitheroe

Hopes were high for Pundy's men in their first cup game of the season and although it was a shuffled side from the previous week the teamsheet looked promising with a good blend of youth and experience. If anything, the back line was possibly one of the best available all season. Unfortunately they weren't able to show as much due to the lack of ball throughout the game and essentially, this game was lost at the breakdown where the visitors from Warton were just that bit hungrier.

Clitheroe were 10-0 down inside of 6 minutes and although unbowed, they were certainly struggling to gain any real foothold in the game. There were brief glimpses of quality with Mick Stott producing a good run from within his own half and young Luke Hayton on the flank showing significant strength and no shortness of guile in being able to offload at just the right time. However, BAe Warton proved to be the more aggressive team when it came to rucks and were in the ascendancy more and more as the game wore on. That said, Clitheroe did manage a try early in the 2nd half whereby one of the James Dickinsons playing managed to scythe through and show a clean pair of heels from just inside the opposition half to score on the right. This fine score was added to not long later with a well-struck penalty from replacement Robinson. Sadly that was to be all for the home side and Warton finished by far th stronger running in 3 late tries to seal a good win.

There are some positives from Clitheroe's perspective, namely the emergence of some good quality young players and the overall willingness of some old pros to continue to put heir bodies on the line all in the name of Clitheroe Rugby Club.

It's the league leaders next up for Clitheroe 2nds, at home this coming Saturday with a follow up game between England and Australia to further whet the appetite of any potential spectators, all of whom will be very welcome.