A stellar performance from Tubber's men

Tyldesley came to Clitheroe on Saturday, bringing only 9 players, however, Captain Thornber agreed to lend a number of players to the visiting side in order to make a game of it; veterans Caunce, Gretton and Jackson were joined by youngster Harrison in donning Tyldesley blue and thanks to these Clitheroe players, as well as to Tyldesley for travelling without a full complement, for making a good game of rugby.

Clitheroe had once again managed to accumulate a maximum-sized squad and although some players had changed from last week's win away at Fleetwood, it was the same core of players in general. Captain Thornber, Dowson, Farsnworth, Hayton and Harper in the pack were joined by returning players McEntyre, Holland and Procter whilst the backs were almost unchanged. Brown and Sharples continued at half back, Bartle was joined by try-machine McLean in the centres whilst Cook, Keough and Watson made up the back three.

As the game kicked off, Clitheroe were immediately in the ascendancy, piling on the pressure in the opposition half. The forwards were doing things at a high tempo, providing a good platform for Brown to set the backs free. Centre McLean took the first chance that came his way; as the ball was moved wide, Bartle set him free down the left he rounded a couple before dotting down. Keough kicked the extras to give Clitheroe a 7-0 after only 5 minutes. It didn't all go the home team's way though. Tyldesley were using their large pack well in the opening quarter and they forced Clitheroe forwards to transgress on a few occasions to the extent that they were able to kick two good penalties to take the score to 7-6. That said, this was the closest they got to Clitheroe score-wise since the game kicked off as the home team kicked on from last weeks points-fest. McLean was close to scoring on 15 minutes when Sharoples darted left before finding Bartle in support. He drew his man beautifully before popping off to McEntyre who, in turn, couldn't quite keep the final pass to McLean from going forward. This must have spurred McLean on further as only a few minutes later he was the beneficiary of a quality play by the home pack as they pounded the Tyldesley line and he darted over to take the score to 12-6.

No.8 McEntyre was next to score. Winger Cook made good yards and a driving maul took Clitheroe into the "red zone". McEntyre popped up from nowhere and despite a desperate tackle from opposition stand-in full back, Gretton, he bullocked his way over the line. A rare Tyldesley foray into the Clitheroe half occurred just after half an hour's play had elapsed, however, a "strong" tackle from McEntyre made them spill the ball only yards from the Clitheroe try line. Captain Thornber sprinted away like a spring chicken before offloading to Bartle, then McLean, where the latter sprinted the remaining 60 yards to score. The final try of the half came after good interplay again between Thornber and Bartle and this time is was Cook who benefitted by racing away to score. The score at half time stood at 33-6 in Clitheroe's favour and it looked more than likely that the home side were going to be inflicting more misery on the visitors in the second half.

It didn't take long, once the whistle blew to signify the start of the second half, for Clitheroe to score once more. This time, Ollie McEntyre, realising he was 3 tries to 1 down in his personal duel with the other Oli Mc (McLean), took a ball from Watson in his own half before tearing down the left flank, bumping off 3 would-be tacklers to score an excellent try. The old club captain has a few years left in him yet. A similar run by Hayton, who again caught the eye with a strong performance, gave Clitheroe space on the left once more. He gave the ball to the supporting McEntyre who unselfishly popped the ball to Sharples to score. Only 15 minutes later McEntyre once more turned from provider to scorer and he took the score to 52-6; Clitheroe were racing away and in contrast to recent games when his aim hadn't been so true, Keough was adding most off the extras.

On 65 minutes McLean was at his dangerous best as he received the ball in his own half. This time he only beat 4 defenders to score a fantastic try and to take his tally to 10 tries in 4 games, or as he says, 3 and a half games. A couple of minutes later, Clitheroe scored their penultimate try. Farnsworth, who'd had another good game, passed off to Brown in good support before Bartle got his hands on the ball. He drew two men brilliantly before passing to Sharples, who scored under the posts. The final try came from Hayton, his first for Clitheroe, after McEntyre had done much of the hard work to get him into a scoring position. This try was well-deserved for this exciting back row prospect.

All credit to Tydesley, and of course to the Clitheroe lads who stepped up to play for them, especially as they proceeded to play their best stuff of the match in the last 10 minutes. They put enormous pressure on Clitheroe and on two occasions, they buckled to concede tries. By this time Rob Woolley had donned the blue shirt and showed what he can do with a thundering tackle and some excellent support running.

Man of the match went to McLean and deservedly so following his 4-try exploits. McEntyre was just behind him with 3 of his won, Sharples added 2 and Hayton and Cook one apiece. Keough added 7 conversions from the 11 tries. This was an excellent performance and has Clitheroe dreaming of a good league finishing position. That said, we all know how things change and a visit to Les Towler's Bolton 4th team next Saturday, with some notable players from recent weeks unavailable on a stag do, makes for a tough trip.