Seconds come close at Orrell

Clitheroe 2nds have not started the season well but there are definite signs of recovery after this narrow loss away to promotion chasing Orrell.

Fielding a reasonable line up and led by Dan Smith (pictured) the visitors had good expectations of a strong performance and so it proved after an initial set back.

Orrell scored an early try and it seemed a long afternoon ahead as the hosts added a penalty to the early unconverted try. Fernandez who started brightly was replaced by Mcormack who had been delayed.

Clitheroe stormed back into the game after good work from Mcormack who fed Pickup and he smashed over the line. The extras were missed but it was game on.
The Clitheroe pack dominated the game and stuck to their game plan but against the run of play the hosts scored a converted try to lead 15-5.
This team has developed a strong spirit and following pressure Clitheroe pushed over the Orrell pack to score a deserved try, the final touch being added by the excellent Haynes. The extras were added to bring the score to 15-12.

Pickup had to leave the field due to injury which was a big loss, but Railton had a magnificent game running off Mcormack who was providing the energy and creativity the back line needed.

Clitheroe were dominating through good phases of forward play providing excellent ball to the backs. Hansen, who is having a good season, came close on occasion and the backs tackled very well against a strong Orrell back line. Wensley and Thornber R also put big shifts in on the wings, as both these players always do.

Again the luck wasn't with the visitors as Orrell scored a breakaway try and at half time it was 22-12 to the hosts.

The second half was Clitheroe’s. They dominated the forward play, should have been awarded a couple of penalty tries and were extremely unlucky not to win. Clitheroe camped on Orrell’s try line but through a mixture of solid defence, bad luck and refereeing decisions they failed to cross.

The pack was magnificent from 1 to 8. Penny hooked well in a strong front row and scrums were won against the head. Thornber A and Kenyon carried well and Farnworth put in a solid shift.
The fact that the hosts went to uncontested scrums took the sting out of Clitheroe’s game.

The game finished scoreless in the 2nd half and a 22-12 loss overall but an encouraging performance nevertheless. The everyoung Procter and Holmes joined the fray from the bench and brought their experience to the fore.

Special mention must go to Jones in the forwards, but also to Mcormack Railton and Gretton in the backs.

Man of the match was Haynes and the team was led very well by Smith who had an excellent game himself.

Victories will come and the 2s are at home next week to Sedgley Park 4ths. Please come and support, all welcome.

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