Clitheroe take first cup win of the campaign

Clitheroe U15s returned to action in the Junior Challenge Cup, this time visiting West Park St Helens in search of victory in this extremely testing competition. This always going to be a competitive affair between two evenly matched sides. Congratulations to the hosts for getting the game on at all, after the recent bout of weather

A good squad of 18 was assembled, which was made up of a relatively stable set of backs and forwards. The lads had struggled to challenge neighbours North Ribb before Christmas and after meeting tough outfit Heaton Moor last week, the side were up and ready for the St Helens challenge.

The game couldn’t have started any better for Clitheroe as they drew first blood within 5 minutes. The lads had opened competitively, especially at the break down and they built on their pressure by getting the ball along the back-line to George Hamlet, to burst through and under the posts. Duck slotted the conversion to make it 7-0 to Clitheroe.

From there to the end of the first half however, it all went badly awry. The opening try had two influences on the game - it kick started the West Park lads into life and gave Clitheroe a bit of over-confidence. Despite strong running and some tenacious play from the likes of Smith, Paige and Barraclough in the forwards with ball in hand, the Clitheroe defence had more doglegs than in Battersea Dogs’ Home and the word porous didn’t quite describe the state of the visitors’ defence. West Park forged back into the game and beyond the visitors to score 4 unanswered tries. Unfortunately, close to half-time, one of West Park’s most effective attacking players suffered a concussion, which resulted in his retirement from the game. All at Clitheroe wish him well, for a speedy recovery.

The score stood at 28-7 at the half time break.

The team enjoyed a good discussion during the break with the coaches helping to point out where improvements could be made. It seemed to work right from the start of the second half with Clitheroe beginning to build on their good possession and after some great set up play, Marsden scampered in on the wing. We’ve all been waiting for Joseph Marsden to get on the score sheet and the travelling fans duly acknowledged his first score in maroon and gold. Next was the turn of the slight yet immensely bulldozer-like Smith. He took the ball following a scrum turnover and shrugged off any would-be tackler to bash his way over for an excellent try from his favoured No.8 position.

By now the boys had worked out how soften the opposition up with some solid runs through the middle, from which we kept possession and momentum. The forwards played bigger, attacking roles in the second half, with commanding runs up the middle of the park, drawing in the West Park defence, allowing more space for the back-line. Our third of the half came from Captain Wilkinson, with a try coming from a lovely passing exchange through the backs, opening up the defence for Joe to slip through and in. Clitheroe had clawed it back to 26-24 with perhaps 10 minutes to go.

Whilst West Park played with heart and determination, they were short numbered and by the end this had started to tell. Clitheroe’s defence stood up sternly to some strong play from the hosts, but never really looked like conceding again. With perhaps 7 minutes to go and with Clitheroe dominating possession and territory another score seemed likely and came with Marsden’s second of the afternoon. Again, this came from a period of possession in the middle, with the forwards moving the ball up the park through several phases before quick, confident distribution and some strong running across the back line.

With legs starting to tire across the park the remaining few minutes was a deadlocked affair in the middle third and Clitheroe came out 26-31 to the good.

This was a much improved display on recent weeks, especially in the second half. When all the boys play to their best and for each other they can produce some good rugby; lots to take and learn from this display and move forward into the remainder of the season, starting with a home game against Sedgley Park on Sunday 24th in the last round of the competition before the knock-out games start in early Feb.

Well done Clitheroe U15s!