Fine Win for the 2's

An interesting build up to this game; after the wettest of wet weeks and the 1st XV game over at Burnley deemed flooded off on Friday, the hotwires were lit up with ‘is it off tomorrow? ‘ from all quarters. Some in panic that they may be dragged out on a shopping expedition with ‘er indoors; and some maybe secretly hoping for a bit of retail therapy – who knows?

Phlegmatic groundsman Phil batted off calls for an early decision; and after Saturday morning inspection with the apprentice groundsperson it was given the green light for action. Not 100% perfect but pretty good all the same - all things considered.

The early season fixture was a non starter as the visitors, Ormskirk, a fate not uncommon in grass roots sport – not just rugby, struggled to raise a side. Fortunately they brought a strong outfit to Silcock Park on Saturday and contributed well to an excellent game.

Clitheroe’s squad led today by Matt Probart, an auctioneer by trade so was quite used to repeating himself and telling livestock and people what to do – a steady presence in the No. 10 shirt.

The rest of the squad was the proverbial mix of youth and old crocks. Jake Best and Joe Aspin formed a lightweight but mobile second row. Aspin is working back to match fitness after a lengthy lay off with a sore wrist (insert own joke here) The front row looked pretty hefty, well maybe just hefty; Tom Whitaker, who had a fine game, alongside Wombat Mitchell and the reliably svelte Sam Barr.
The back row also had a good blend; young up and coming tyro Gil Stanton was joined on the flank by the evergreen Ollie Oldroyd & with Nick Good at 8 there was no shortage of thrust.
The Rev Sam Cheeseman started at 9 pairing up with the skipper in the half backs.
A couple of come back kids in the centres; Matt Bleasdale back from one of his many skiing jaunts and former fans favourite Stu Railton in the inside berth. Funny what marriage does to a player – some you never see again unless you bump into them in the Trafford Centre and others….well in Stu!.
The back three composed of a couple of lads who have ventured from over the hill to greener pastures Austin Wensley and Aaodan Hardman, young Cam Bate was on the wing poised to show a clean pair of heels to someone or anyone.

The bench was groaning with talent, good looks, great personalities and sparkling repartee. New man Ed Staunton easing his way into rugby, especially in the bar. Luke Rogerson with the Burt Reynolds/Charles Manson visage, Matt Mason – scourge of unattended ladies on a Saturday night and the legend that is Simon Gretton bringing up the rear.

On to the game. An even first half ended 15-12. Stanton had crossed for a brace and Railton had also grabbed one.
The glory boys.
Probart kept Ormskirk in it by missing all three conversions, good captaincy. Not quite what Father Probart was saying to your correspondent on the touchline, but I think some of it was in Welsh.

The second half was better from Clitheroe as they finally decided to use the overlaps that had been assiduously ignored in the first 40.
Stanton went over for his hat-trick – well deserved after some excellent support play.
The the old soldier Oldroyd then got on the score sheet. Bobbing and weaving from the half way line, showing a surprising turn of pace from one so large, beat several defenders then theatrically dived over under the posts.
Probart so impressed/shocked he knocked over the conversion.

Then it was our own Eddie the Eagle Bleasdale who stole the limelight; urged on by deafening high pitched support from one section of the crowd, he nabbed two tries of his own to give the maroons a clear lead. Probart by now had got is act together and bobbed over another conversion.

Ormskirk could only reply with one try and 39-17 was a solid ‘W’. and good entertainment for the faithful supporters.

Thanks to ‘Kirk for traveling over , they contributed massively to a good advertisement of grass roots rugby and good lads in the bar after. Top men.

No photos this week, the photographer's box brownie intsamatic had run out of film.

Fleetwood away this week. Sea air and All that. Ahoy.