The cavaliers were clear favourites on form after their successful start to this year's campaign. They fielded another mixed side ringing the changes from last week but were able to boast a strong spine of 'regulars'. Due to first time call ups for some of the lads there was a bit of shuffling around with garth Spencer moving to nine and some kiwi flanker standing in at 10 muttering about drop goals. The side was able to give debuts to another promising colt in the form of George Hamlett and to Sam Tarbuck on the flanks with Matt Mitchell (Wombat's slimmer, but ginger, younger brother) joined a solid bench alongside Chris Birchall's (who'd finally shaken off a nasty bout of herpes), a sharp looking Shredders and Josh Proctor cousin of foghorn Jake, who is finding his way onto rugby.

After a gentle warm up stretch and a couple of line outs the game was off. With hindsight the warm up was perhaps too gentle, or perhaps Rochdale just realised that they had nothing to lose as they proceeded to take control of the proceedings. In the first fifteen minutes Rochdale controlled the ball and therefore the proceedings bringing their big runners into play time and time again.

At this point the plot of playing a flanker at 10 proved genius as Darren Eagle was more than happy to bring his trademark chop tackling to his new position. It also gave Sam Tarbuck the chance to show off his classy defence as he joined in the defensive effort. Not to be outdone the tight five was always willing to throw something in the way of their opposition certainly not pretty but effective.

Effective enough to convince Rochdale to take a three pointer rather than to contiue trying to burst over the line after 17 minutes.

Incredibly it was the first time in 177 minutes of rugby that Kirk's men had found themselves behind this season.

A quick change saw Richard Thornber take five and the ever impressive Danny Cowgill join the fray.

By now Rochdale's bigger lads were feeling the pace and started to feel the pressure in the set piece. Garth Spencer continued a fine run of form (despite playing in his third position of the season) by scoring a superb try from the back of the scrum underlying his evident potential in the 9 shirt. He added the extras.

At this point Rochdale were worried about the strain in the set piece and were angling for uncontested scrums, some quick thinking by the cavaliers saw them substitute the Rochdale player, Clitheroe's own Richard Murray (who was being unfairly blamed for the creaking Rochdale scrum) for the redoubtable Aaron Shred making a long overdue return to the fold (sadly at this stage for the wrong side but hey at least he was back on the pitch!).

The maroons knew they needed to build on the set piece dominance and squeeze the running out of Rochdale. As it was they didn't get the chance as Danny Cowgill took a pass from a, very poorly dealt with, kick off and engaged the after burners and went half the length of the field beating six tacklers. Great to see Danny back and playing so freely and effectively. No extras this time.

After another shaky restart the pack were eventually able to assert some control over the ball and with their favoured pick and drive approach going well worked up the pitch. The pack went for a push over try from a penalty but came up short, luckily three breakdowns later last seasons captain fantastic Jamie Taylor crashed over the line with a Rochdale flanker on his back to heap the pressure onto Rochdale.

The pack made a compete hash of the next restart (as they did with nearly all of them and of they dont start catching the ball will be punished by better sides). Allowing Rochdale to run at the maroons defence this time it was breached (although for the second time in two weeks the players felt that a video ref would not have awarded the try.) the conversion was missed.

With 2 minutes left most sides with the age and physical profile of the cavaliers would have waited the half to regroup, not with Captain Kirk at the helm. The pack worked the ball back from Garths restart and were rewarded with the site of Mike Floyd's sideburns scorching through the Rochdale three quarters in a well worked move in which Garth and Dazza looked like an establish pair of half backs another lovely dummy line from Martin O' Connor (who ran tirelessly and selflessly all game) giving Floyd the inch and a half he needed. Extras added it was 24-8 to the hosts.

Under the watchful gaze of Jake Proctor who was managing from the touchline the Maroons rang the changes with Jason Proctor swapping with colt debutant George Hamlet, Chris Birchall swapped with the resurgent John Proctor (the Pund who is now in his 312th season for the maroons). The spirit of wombat lived on in the form of Matt Mitchell who made a lively debut.

The second half began with the Clitheroe rocking back on their laurels a little allowing Rochdale to come back at them. Again after some strong defending the maroon line was breached again there was scope for a challenge but we would have been aggrieved if it hadn't been awarded the on her way around.

The Clitheroe reply was immediate, not content with dominating the scrum contest the maroons started to use the line out as an offensive weapon. Excellent debutant Sam Tarbuck leapt like a salmon, delivering quick clean ball to scrum half Spencer who fed Eagle who ran at the Rochdale defensive and shimmed past their ten in time to feed that a flying Floydy, after another great dummy line from O'Connor (who I must admit might get passed to more if his nick name was sticky rather than Teflon) allowing the sideburn king the space he needed to score.

The contest was over with 46 minutes gone as with the extras the score read 31-13.

The best trait this side has developed over the last couple of seasons is a willingness to demand more from itself and the boys took control and worked very hard over the next 15 minutes to grind any fight oit of Rochdale. The sixty minute mark saw the departure of me (about 50 minutes overdue) jason and Jaime Taylor, who I must say has looked totally revitalises in his two outings this season allowing Danny Cowgill to return and give the traitorous Aaron Shred a chance to play for his own team having proved an effective addition to the Rochdale pack. The Clitheroe back three were solid at the back throughout the match and had patiently waited for their opportunity to show off their attacking skills. That patience paid off as Joe Smith and Austin reminded everyone why they have played in the ones and for Joe in particular it was a chance to test out his hamstring. They combined well from deep within Clitheroe half leaving Joe with a two on one (against him) he stepped, went and then realised he was in a footrace for the line from the halfway line, he won the race and scored one for the scrap book. Extras added. Then came some very special moments firstly Darren Eagle showed that he hates passing unless its the absolute last resort, he also showed what a truly talented player he is by not only playing out of position but by crafting a wonderful opening for Tom Hardman to score his first ever try. Eagle stepped his oppo and then stepped the centre before slipping the ball inside to Tom whilst being bundled into touch. Tom caught the ball and then in true front row style fell over the line and emerged with a well earned grin!

A final round of changes saw Richard Thornber return on the wing. The ball found itself in his trusty hands and he gassed the poor Rochdale winger and went half the pitch for a classy finish to the match.

Overall a well worked and well deserved win, kick offs a concern.

Plenty of positives around at the moment, a delight to see so many talented colts coming through the ranks and the boys enjoying the game under Kirky.

Next week however will be the benchmark for this team an away day at Thornton awaits......

Report by WRJ
Photos courtesy of C Barraclough

****Note: this match doubled up as a 1st Round Shield Tie. We have been drawn away at Thornton Cleveleys 2's in Round 2 on 6th October!!