Hawcoat Hold On to Win

Under perfect conditions, thanks to Head Groundsman Phil Isherwood, for rugby Clitheroe hosted Hawcoat Park at Littlemoor.

The late enforced change of kit due to clashing colours may have confused some in the maroon, now blue, ranks. As a poorish start left them with a mountain to climb.
But with a massive amount of grit and steel the forwards to the game to the opposition and nearly ground out a win, a sixty metre driving maul from a lineout resulting in a try was a highlight at Littlemoor

Clitheroe welcomed back Mitchell Jones to the field and Steve Korney and Richard Murray also on the bench.

Kirk Kenyon and Dan Jones solidifying their second row partnership which seems to be a great pairing. Jamie Taylor slipping in at blindside, yet another new position for him to try.

The away side started the stronger from their kick off and a turnover in possession saw them scoring with less than 5 minutes on the clock. The conversion also made, 7-0 to HP.

Quick to try and reply with points of their own Clitheroe took the restart but whether it was because of over commitment at the breakdown found themselves overlapped and HP scored again, missing the conversion. HP lead 12-0.

Clitheroe had to step up their game. Using the line outs and scrums to their advantage they did so. From a fantastic line out from Andrew Thornber at hooker and Danny Cowgill in the line a quick set and drive was applied and Struan Robinson playing scrum half managed to find a pass to Mitchell Jones who offloaded to Miles Sharples who weaved his way past several HP players to score Clitheroe some much needed points. The conversion was missed by MJ. HP still lead 12-5.

The away side quickly rallied back by scoring 2 quick tries of their own by taking advantage of poor breakdowns from Clitheroe and shipping the balls out to their pacy wingers. Making only one of the conversions. HP went in at half time leading 24-5.

After some stern words at half time Clitheroe had what seemed like a mountain to climb. Sticking to what they do best they allowed the forwards to play rugby. Andrew Thornber (pictured) a Clitheroe veteran managing to score a second half hat-trick due to hard work from everyone on the team with blistering charges being made from Kirk Kenyon, Pete Farnsworth & Jamie Taylor who seemed to enjoy his new position and runs from the ever energetic Miles Sharples changed the dynamic of the game the game. 1 of the 3 the conversions made by MJ.

HP however were still not finished and managed another 3 second half tries by shipping out wide to their wingers who took advantage of the Clitheroe defensive line. Only one of the conversions made. HP lead 41-22.

Clitheroe who had been the stronger team physically the second half put on a fantastic attacking and defensive display for the home support still had something left to show. A line out allowed Jamie Taylor to peel off the back of a maul before weaving past 3 defenders and eventually off loading to Pete Farnsworth who got over the line for the final score of the game with MJ making the conversion.

Final score Hawcoat 41 - 29 Clitheroe.

A promising second half display from the lads.

JT