Close call at Blackburn for the 2's

Clitheroes mighty second team made the trip to Blackburn to play their thirds on Saturday.

The game got under way on centre stage at Blackburn and straight from the off it was physical. Big carries from both sets of forwards and big tackles too meant knocking the ball on would a reoccurring theme all game. Blackburn found themselves over the line first with a quickly taken penalty and lack of attention from Clitheroe. The conversion however missed. Clitheroe responded. Kino taking the restart then the forwards piled in to the rucks to try and win the ball back. That they did in the form of a penalty. JT deciding the points would be the better option. 5-3 to Blackburn.

The game had an aggressive ebb and flow to it with both teams doing their best to break through. Great defensive from Niall Spence and JT saw Blackburn held up on the line. Great carrying from Will Jones, Pete Mitchell and the second rowers meant Blackburn had to counter this weighty pack. They did so by winning the ball from a line out and weaving their way through to score and convert. 12-3 Blackburn.

Quick to respond Clitheroe managed to win the ball back after the restart in the form of a penalty. JT opting for a scrum after Watson and Jones had a quiet word. The scrum as it was all game was strong and abused the opposition. The ball finding Watson, Kino then Spencer who glided through the defence to score. Kino converted. 12-10 Blackburn.
That was half time.

The second half was all Clitheroe. Literally had Blackburn camped in their own half for 20 minutes with everyone carrying well and trying to break through but Blackburn held firm. Finally they broke off the back of a scrum and their No 8 scored and converted. 19-10 Blackburn.

Clitheroe then again won the ball back from a restart via penalty. A quick tap and some wonderful phase play from Kenyon, Jones and the back row contingent saw Wombat (pictured) burrow his way over for a try. Kino kicking jut wide. 19-15.

That was the last of the scoring for Clitheroe but Blackburn did manage another try and conversion meaning they led away 26-15 winners in a game that was more even than the score seemed.

Fantastic game, shame about the result.

JT