After a tough game the previous week at Thornton where Clitheroe 2nds lost only their 2nd game of the season, Thornber had at his disposal a full squad of 20 players for the visit of Blackpool 1sts, lying mid table after an up and down season so far. He welcomed back Bolton and Thornber Jnr after injury and Preston and Barrett after times away from the club. The remainder of the side was mostly the side that's propelled the team to second in the league.

The game was played on the excellent Ribblesdale school pitch on what looked like being a great day for running rugby and with Clitheroe holding the top spot in terms of points scored so far there was no reason to think otherwise. Blackpool certainly thought otherwise and despite their rather nonchalant approach in the lead up to the game, they took to the field and started to show their mettle from the first whistle. Clitheroe were comind second in the early exchanges, and struggled to take the tong runners down. This gave Blackpool early territorial and possession advantages to the point where they were close to scoring on the 10 minute mark and it was only a dropped last pass to the supporting winger that preventing them taking an early lead. However, it wasn't long before they did score; a scrum on the Clitheroe 5m line gave the Blackpool Number 8 the ideal opportunity to pick and drive to score out on the right. Things were to get even worse for Clitheroe before 20 minutes had elapsed when one of the Blackppol backs picked up a ball from behind a ruck on the Clitheroe 22 and scampered right through the middle to score. This was converted and was added to a few minutes later with an audacious and accurate drop goal from Blackpool. 23 minutes gone and the score stood at 15-0 to the visitors.

Thornber tried to rally the troops and despite the scrums going poorly and the general tempo achieved of late nowhere to be seen, Clitheroe did manage to force a kickable penalty but this was pushed wide by full back Keough. He did make up for this soon after by making an excellent tackle on his opposite number to stop a Blackpool attack in its tracks.

On the half hour mark changes were made with Barrett making his return at scrum half for the injured Brown. He immediately injected to some fizz to the Clitheroe attack and was linking well with fly half Bartle, therefore releasing Hardy and Preston. It also seemed to give a much-needed fillip to the forwards, who started to boss the breakdowns. Dowson and Thornber lead by example and drove at their opposition at every opportunity. The half finished with Clitheroe 15 points behind on the scoreboard but on top in terms of momentum.

McEntyre went to 8 for the second half and together with fellow sub Sam Thornber, they tore into Blackpool in the second half. In didn't take long before Clitheroe scored a try of their own and it was all down to the mercurial Barrett. He ran a wide arc and had nowhere to go so chipped cleverly ahead to drop the ball behind the defence. Rather than pick the ball up he decided to hack the ball on and although initially the ball had looked to be going over the dead ball line, Barrett won the chase to score a superb solo try. The momentum was now truly with Clitheroe and Sam Thornber showed strength and speed to bust through on his own 10 metre line. He made a good 40 yards, taking the ball into the Blackpool 22. The ball was moved quickly left and Barrett passed on the Bartle who sold a dummy and flopped over for Clitheroe's second try. Keough converted.

Clitheroe had now moved to within 3 points but were still looking at a loss unless they kept up the excellent play. A series of penalties took Clithereo once again into the red zone. Holland took the ball on at first receiver. The ball was quickly recycled and moved right between Bartle, sub Bolton and Barrett and it was the latter who found the smallest gap through which he squeezed to score the final try of the game.

The final 15 minutes was an edgy affair with only a penalty required by either team to get in front and although Clitheroe defended stoutly Blackpool were not giving up at all. Brown had returned to the field on the right wing and came close to being set free in the final minutes but it didn't matter as Clitheroe generally had territorial advantage in the closing minutes and finished the game strongly.

Captain Thornber was somewhat relieved to come away with the points and thanked Blackpool for giving his side a thorough test. He also pointed out that his side had shown some grit and determination to claw their way back into the game and take the spoils. Barrett, Dowson, flanker Woolley and both Thornbers were excellent whilst youngsters Hardy and Brown played well above their years. Brown was awarded a deserved man of the match following his displays at scrum half and later on the wing.

Next week sees Clitheroe travelling to league leaders Leigh 4ths, who are unbeaten so far this season. Last year, with a poorer side Clitheroe than the current one were competitive but ultimately beaten by a good 30 points. Will this Saturday be any different- we certainly hope so!