So near yet so far...again!

A week certainly made a difference for the 2nd XV. After the game last week against BAe Warton where they lacked bite at the breakdown and lacked ideas in attack, this much changed team impressed from the start as they took the game to Blackpool with some verve.

All the mutterings before the game, especially from around the visitors' changing room was all about by how many Blackpool might beat Clitheroe, after all they were sitting second in the league having lost only once so far this season compared to the home sides lowly 7th place. Five minutes into the game and you wouldn't have believed how wrong those words were. Clitheroe had started brightly, taking the game to Blackpool and scoring quickly through New Zealander Chris Harper, whose ability to get around the field and his overall work ethic has been praised by many in the few games he's played this season. The visitors didn't know what had hit them and their defence melted away yet more as further tries were scored through returning lock Wilkinson after great approach play from Clemmey, Mashiter and Thompson.

As the game wore on Blackpool edged their way back in but with 10 minutes to play Clitheroe were looking fairly comfortable holding a 18-12 lead, with young scrum half Barrett adding a penalty in the second half. Clitheroe were still play some good running rugby and with only a few minutes remaining ran a threatening backs move, only for the ball to drop kindly into the hands of an opposition winger who then raced 60 yards to touch down under the posts. The conversion was added and Blackpool edged into the lead and ultimately into the winning positions by a single point.

As the final whistle blew the Blackpool players and supporters alike showed their relief at scraping through a game that they perhaps didn't deserve to win, especially since Clitheroe played most of the rugby. That said, it's the final score that matters and Blackpool took the points to go to the top of the league. They now look good value for a final promotion position come the end of the season but more importantly, here's hoping that this Clitheroe team builds on this promising performance to an end that sees them continue to threaten to win each game they play.

And so to Chorley away next week in what will be perhaps a defining game in Clitheroe 2nd XV's season.