Clitheroe enjoy at good win at Preston

With the score between these two teams at one game each this season it was always going to be an interesting game for all concerned. Preston had taken the spoils at Littlemoor early on in the season whereas Clitheroe responded well before Christmas with a resounding win in the Raging Bull plate.

A team was assembled through the week but became decimated by sickness and unavailability late on Friday. Help was requested from some old boys and it was Geoff Williamson and Simon Windy Rawston who stepped up and took to the field in Wilkinson's hour of need. Cometh the hour as they say!

The stalwarts were to join in the front row with the Procter brothers to make a combined age of nearly 150, nearly matching Preston's age profile. Harrison joined Wilkinson in the second row whilst Farnsworth, Harper and youngster Piercy made up the back row. Brown was joined at half back by Bartle, Hardy and Wilde stood at centre and Keough, Cook and Ben Rigby. Finally, Rawstron was joined on the subs "bench" by returning Uni boy Bleasdale and newcomer Jake Dixon.

The pitch, expected to be heavy was in remarkably good nick and with our rain falling from the sky (yes, really), the game commenced. The Preston forwards started the game on the front foot and Clitheroe found themselves under a great deal of pressure. This pressure told fairly quickly and a try was scored, Clitheroe's players looking helpless as they crossed the line. Things were certainly not going to plan but Wilkinson knew his troops were capable of much better.

As the half wore on, Clitheroe started to string some good play together. On reflection, their attack wasn't really the problem; it was their defensive structure and communication but this was to get significantly better as the match continued. With some great interplay down the left, the back line made good yardage and up popped Wilde to score Clitheroe's first try. The away team kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a simple penalty chance that winger Rigby converted to give Clitheroe the lead at 8-7. Clitheroe, after suffering a shaky first 20 were in complete control for the rest of the half and flanker Piercy was to score a great team try before the half time break and it was successfully converted by Rigby to make it 15-7. Although Rigby was kicking well it was unfortunate that the team lost the kicking services of full back Keough, who hobbled away from the action with a poorly ankle. Let's hope he recovers well this week. Bleasdale came on in his place and was enjoying all the ball that was being kicked to him.

The second half started pretty much like the first whereby the home team took the game by the scruff and they scored within a matter of minutes to come to within 3 points at 15-12. However, their significantly-proportioned flanker was given 10 minutes in the sin bin for a dodgy looking tackle on Rawstron, who had only just entered the fray to take over form Williamson at prop. That said, Rawstron himself didn't manage to stay on the field long. An altercation with his opposite number initially then the Preston full back resulted in both him and the flu back sitting out 10 minutes of the second half. It was during this period of 14-13 that Clitheroe pounced. A Preston scrum in the Clitheroe half was well defended and as the ball came out, No.8 Farnsworth put in an excellent tackle and the ball popped up nicely to winger Rigby, who scampered a good 60 yards to score the final try of the game. It was no less that Clitheroe deserved.

The game entered the final 15 minutes and during this time, the Preston scrum half was unlucky to be red-carded for illegal use of the boot. Hopefully, he'll escape further punishment. It certainly wasn't a dirty game and games between these two teams are always hard but fairly played out and this game was no different. Finally, winger Jake Dixon came on for his debut in a Clitheroe shirt and although he didn't manage to see much play he was duly welcomed into the team we look forward to seeing much more from this young player.

Clitheroe, with the man advantage closed the game out well, despite Preston's best efforts and were thoroughly relieved to come away with the win. Man of the match was a close run thing. Bartle Hardy and Rigby were all brilliant in keeping the team going forward but it was full back replacement Bleasdale who was awarded MOTM for his superb running from deep and tough tackling.

Clitheroe remain in 3rd place in the league, close behind Thornton Cleveleys in 2nd but some way behind league leaders Leigh. Next week Clitheroe host Fleetwood 4ths in what should be an entertaining game once more, especially if previous Clitheroe 2nds captain Dan Jefferson comes along to play!