Fun in the Sun

Clitheroe’s seconds welcomed their old adversaries from the wrong side of Pendle, Colne & Nelson, to Littlemoor on Saturday, hoping to extend their unbeaten run. With the weather set fair and a good squad assembled there was little reason to believe this could not be achieved.

Jim Smith and Martin Lafranchescina made their first appearance of the season following injuries. It is particularly heartening to see Kino return to wear the maroon and gold shirt following such a terrible injury, and there’s no doubt the playing side of the club is richer for his return. Giz Williams made a first appearance due to work commitments the previous 2 games and Stu Railton was also available following his sabbatical.

All were welcome and with the rest of the squad pretty settled it promised to be a good afternoon of rugby.

Following the customary start of the season team photo, Clitheroe’s Captain, Dave Watson, gave the pre match call to arms and asked that the team continued to play the same brand of adventurous, cavalier rugby as they had in the previous two games and which had brought such rich reward.

Colne & Nelson had not read the script though and within the first five minutes they opened the scoring with Clitheroe seemingly basking in the Indian summer sunshine. A few harsh words under the posts from the Captain and Clitheroe ripped into Colne from the restart. Direct lines of running from the forwards gave scrum half Smudge Smith the opportunity to unleash the Clitheroe back line which has been in devastating form. The scores were soon level with wing Alex Woodward crossing the whitewash in the corner. Mitch Jones did the honours from the kicking tee.
A change was required in the front row soon after with Jim Smith replacing John Procter to good effect with his usual barn storming runs attracting numerous defenders. Space was starting to appear in the Colne defensive ranks as Clitheroe’s forwards began to make ground over the gain line, and with the backs running good support lines further tries were added by Dan Smith, Richard Thornber, Steve Dowson and a penalty try. Mitch Jones adding the extra points for all but one.

At the break Clitheroe were good value for their 33-5 lead and the consensus was that all they needed in the second half was more of the same.

At the beginning of the second half Clitheroe once again asserted their dominance in all aspects of the game but did manage to incur the wrath of the referee due to repeated infringements. Something to work on for the games to come.
Martin Lafranchescina replaced Sam Robinson in the back row and soon showed the crowd what they and the club had been missing for the last couple of seasons. Within ten minutes he crossed the line for his first try, a solo effort breaking a tackle on half way before dancing around the stricken full back. ‘Kino’ went on to score two more tries in the half both showing off his strength, speed and elusive running. As Oasis once said, ‘it’s good to be back! ‘.

Dan Smith added his second soon after, breaking from the back of a scrum and darting fully 60m with a posse of opposition defenders left in his wake. Colne were really struggling to cope with the power of Clitheroe’s forwards in the loose and Giz Williams trundled over the line to prove that age is no barrier to playing rugby when you have experience and quality.
This statement was reinforced moments later when Captain Dave Watson pounced on a loose ball in midfield and fly hacked through the defence. After a couple of shoulder charges gave him the space he needed to gather the ball he flopped over the line.
Just as Clitheroe looked as though they might run up a cricket score the wheels cam off momentarily as Jim Smith was despatched to the sin bin for a professional foul. Colne sensed their opportunity to restore some pride and to their credit they did. Clitheroe switched off and as they had spent most of the half on the attack the need to defend and make tackles deserted them for a a ten minute period. Colne rallied and scored three good tries of their own. Dave Watson gathered his troops and told them in no uncertain terms that this was not how the game would finish and that the last score must be theirs.
Alex Woodward took his Captains Request on board and from the restart he gathered a dropped ball rounded two defenders and dotted down under the posts. Mitch Jones added the conversion as he had with all but two of the tries, a fantastic kicking performance.

An 80-22 score line was harsh on Colne who battled to the end and as their young team gains more experience at this level they will become a tougher nut to crack. However they caught Clitheroe on a good day.
The brand of rugby Clitheroe are playing is pleasing to the eye and more importantly the players are enjoying playing it. Onwards and upwards!

Report by DW