Clitheroe come up short at Leigh

Clitheroe visited relegation rivals Leigh in the knowledge that a win would massively boost the teams survival chances.

Clitheroe fielded a changed line up and consistency in selection has been a problem all season. There were welcome additions in Graves and a rare appearance of Bartle.

Clitheroe started strongly gaining territory through some good possession from the scrum. A new look front row of Graves Taylor and Proctor worked well and there was a solid base for Mitch Jones to feed the back line.

Clitheroe scored first with the ball going through the hands to Bleasdale who stepped a couple of defenders to touch down under the posts. Captain Railton added the extras and 7-0 to the visitors. Almost immediately Leigh replied with a try of their own with their winger scoring and the lead was short lived as the scores were level at 7-7.

Clitheroe came back at the hosts, with excellent carries from Haynes and Graves. Railton and Bartle combined well all day and showed their class both attacking and defensively. And so it was Bartle who rounded off a move to score the next try to put the visitors in the lead 12-7. Back came Leigh and following a period of pressure were awarded a penalty try for an indiscretion which resulted in Thornber spending 10 mins in the bin. Half time and Leigh led 14-12.

Railton rallied his troops and second half began with Clitheroe dominating territory. Gretton and Wensley stood firm defensively and the welcome return of Smith at full back after a lengthy injury lay off was a real bonus. The back row of Cowgill, Norman and Haynes was everywhere and following a period of possession in the Leigh half, Haynes bulldozed over the line for a well deserved try. The captain added the extras and Clitheroe were in the lead 19-14. Dan Jones replaced Farnworth at second row and the pack continued to produce good ball for the back line. Leigh would not lie down and scored again but failed to convert so with 20 mins to go it was 19-19.

Again Clitheroe pressured the Leigh line resulting in penalty after penalty from the hosts. Following this Graves crashed over to score and the visitors were leading 24-19. The ever young Williamson replaced Proctor at prop and the pack continued to dominate.
With 2 mins to go Leigh exerted pressure and following a ruck the scrum half kicked the ball through the defence and touched down under the Clitheroe posts. The try was converted and the hosts led by 2 points.

Clitheroe came back again and gained possession in Leigh territory. With last play Clitheroe had a scrum near the Leigh line under the posts. As always the pack dominated and the Leigh scrum split apart...penalty surely? Inexplicably the referee didn't agree, the chance was gone as was the game.

This was a great performance that deserved a victory but congratulations to Leigh on a very entertaining game played in excellent spirit.
Norman, Bartle, Railton and Haynes all had big games but man of the match was Graves for his carries and scrummaging.

Next game away at Orrell...all welcome.