Clitheroe make use of home advantage

Clitheroe U14s welcomed Garstang in the first of a double header of games in consecutive weeks. The home team have been developing their play well through the season despite coming up against some strong opposition and with a long break over Christmas and January due to the weather they were looking forward to playing at home once more.

Garstang kicked off and the visibility was just good enough in the freezing conditions to see Clitheroe take the ball well. Some quick inter play and thinking by the home side led to Max Carrington streaking away to score a super try, his first of two in the game with the last coming in the last minutes.

After a frenetic opening few minutes the game settled in a good contest overall. Both sides were throwing the ball out wide and defences weren't strong enough to repel such attacking creativity. That said, Smith and Barraclough stood up well in both defence and attack, especially helping to create good ruck ball and Clitheroe's continuity in attack. On 10 minutes Clitheroe marched up field and were awarded a penalty 10 yards out. Captain Wilkinson caught the defence napping a scurried over to score Clitheroe's second try to take the score to 10-0.

Garstang hit back before the break when they scored a converted try to keep it close at 10-7. Furthermore, the visitors took complete control of the second 3rd and score two more tries to have a commanding 17-10 lead going into the last session of play.

Clitheroe knew they had to leave nothing on the field in the final 17 minutes and let neither themselves or the many spectators down with an exemplary application of what they've been learning on the training pitch. They were communicative and daring in defence as well as scything and efficient in attack, running the ball out wide at every opportunity. First Wilkinson scored and this was followed quickly by McLeod who ran an excellent line before out sprinting the scrambling defence. Next saw twinkle toes Hamlet cap a overall good performance with a well earned try before Carrington showed a clean pair of heels once more to score his second. Garstang weren't done yet despite the home team's onslaught and were unlucky not to score in the dying minutes, the pacy left winger knocking on over the line.

This was a great finish to what was an even game overall. Garstang made more yards up the middle and Clitheroe ran free on the outside. Although not mentioned up until know, man of the match was Jack Pimbley, the full back who plays like someone of much greater stature. His tackling was immense and without it, this victory would have been in doubt.

So, to next week for the next instalment. Another Clitheroe victory, this time away at Garstang will be difficult but not impossible for this side.