Clitheroe 2nds start the season with emphatic victory.

Selection posed a few problems for Captain Thornber due to a number of unavailable players for either team, but the team that eventually took the field at Littlemoor was strong and played some excellent running rugby.
The pack set the tone for the game by providing good quality ball to the backs, with Smith and Captain Thornber proving strong in the loose with the ageless skills of Harry Procter being applauded by a large crowd on the touchline. Clitheroe were soon in front with the skilfull combination of newcomer Morris and Massey bamboozling the Hoppers defence to touch down under the posts. This proceeded to set the tone for the afternoon as good quality ball was presented to the backline with Watson at scrum half marshalling his pack well to open gap after gap in the visitors lines. Clitheroe also had welcome return for (Poddy) Podevyn at centre and he had an excellent game with some strong running.
Clitheroe maintained the pressure with the excellent Morris and Massey both touching down for deserved tries as did Craig Procter who also had a superb game. At the break Clitheroe were leading 36-0 and Captain Thornber challenged his troops to maintain the standards they had set.
And so to the second half and the pattern continued. Harrison set the ball, as he did all day, and Watson threw out the pass which went through quick hands into winger Caunce's hands who's pace surprised everyone and he was pulled up just short of the line. At the ensuing breakdown, Hoppers infringed and from the penalty Smith bulldozed over to score a well deserved try. Hoppers suffered a sin binning for an infringement but the bad luck was evened out when Clitheroe lost their skilful and speedy winger Wilkinson to an injury first for him...a tweaked hamstring. Replacements were used, Wood, Paul Procter (also from the clan Procter) and Mcguigan and they all contributed well to the free flowing rugby Clitheroe were producing.
Hoppers stuck manfully to their task and fair play to them because their efforts never waned. Clitheroe continued to exert good pressure and the scoreboard continued to tick over. Man of the match McEntyre had an outstanding game, he was all over the pitch and capped off his performance with a fine try from a 5 metre scrum. Two mentions must go to Mark Jacko Jackson who played a full 80 mins, mostly for Clitheroe but latterly for Hoppers after an injury to one of their players. Jackson contributed well to both teams and ,made a nuisance of himself wherever he went. Lastly, the ever reliable (a good quality to have) Chris Harper played his last game for the club before he returns to New Zealand and on behalf of Clitheroe Rugby Club I would like to thank him for all his sterling efforts as always and wish him well for the future. The game was played in a good spirit and the though the final scoreline was 86-3, the game was a lot closer than the scoreline suggested. The Cavaliers travel to Colne and Nelson next week in what promises to be a tough encounter as always.