2nds Continue in Winning Ways

Following last weeks gutsy and well deserved victory over Blackpool Clitheroe’s second XV travelled to the far flung reaches of West Lancashire to face Fleetwood 3’s with a spring in their step and no shortage of confidence. Unfortunately the Gods of Rugby were not looking down favourably again this week and a number of stout fellows who ply their trade in the front row were unavailable due to holidays, work and injury. The usual triumvirate.
Undeterred Captain Dave Watson informed the referee on arrival at Fleetwood that they could only field one front row which meant uncontested scrummages throughout the game. Maybe not a bad option with Fleetwood’s pack resembling a forest of large oaks!

On the plus side Clitheroe were able to blood three debutants for the game, Will Spensley-Jones, Joe Hopkins, and Peter Shorthouse. All three were champing at the bit to pull on the famous maroon and gold jersey.

Clitheroe’s started the game as they had left off the previous week with the forwards generating fast ball for the sniper at scrum half, Smudge Smith. Once again there was electric pace in the backs and the quick ball enabled them to exploit the space Fleetwood were leaving in their back line. Within the first 15 minutes Alex Woodward exhibited his fleet feet and dotted down in the corner twice. James Dickinson added on the extras to give Clitheroe the perfect start. Fleetwood were not going to roll over easily though and it soon became clear that here game plan revolved around the running game of the giant they had playing at number 8. He began to make ground through some weak tackling and Fleetwood replied with 3 tries of their own. Captain Watson asked his team to respond physically to the challenge that had been thrown down. And that they did. The forwards started to tackle Fleetwood’s big runners behind the gain line and disrupt their clean ball. It was from one of these disruptions that Will Spensley-Jones marked his debut with a try, fly hacking through on dropped ball and winning the race to the touch down. This was followed by a great backs move finished off by Graham Hanson.

At half time Clitheroe had their noses in front but not by as much as they would have liked. The talk at half time was about doing the basics well, with the forwards working hard to provide clean, quick ball for the backs. The need to match Fleetwood physically was also reiterated.

The second half began as did the first with Clitheroe reacting well to the half time team talk and producing the go forward ball which gave the backs, namely James Dickinson and Alex Woodward, the opportunity to cross the whitewash. This was Alex’s first hat trick for the club and reward for his blistering pace and bravery. Hopefully the first of many to come. Once again Fleetwood refused to lie down and their big number 8 and side stepping 10 crossed the try line for them to keep the game interesting. However Clitheroe were really hitting their straps now with backs and forwards interlinking superbly time and time again, Murray and Shorrock very much to the fore in this respect. This enabled further tries from Hanson, Dickinson, Mitch Jones and Joe Hopkins on his debut. Dickinson [pictured] proved reliable with the boot again and ended with seven successful kicks from 10 attempts.

The score at the final whistle was 39-64, and was a reflection on the open running rugby both teams had played. The uncontested scrums made for this and the game was as fast as many a 7 a side game and too fast some might say for the old timers in the team, Watson, Caunce and Gretton. Special mention must be made to Andrew Caunce who once again put his body on the line for the club and was rewarded with a neat cut to his forehead for his troubles which the Fleetwood medical team kindly attended to. A big well done to the three debutants who all performed manfully and will bring much needed impetus and freshness to the squad over the season

It is clear from the first two games of the season this squad of players has the necessary qualities to achieve all the objectives set out before them during pre season. Bring on our ‘friends’ from over t’ill!

by DW