The winning streak continues

In my (nearly) 46 years, I've been part of some really great and thoroughly enjoyable sporting events and teams. I can safely say that I've never been as thoroughly pleased, proud and fulfilled to be part of the journey that this U16s side are on right now. They've developed, over the last 3 or so years, from being a group of relatively novice rugby players who struggled to play together to an inspired team of players who've stepped up massively and who have now won 5 games on the bounce, which is more games they've won in any previous season they've played in!

This weekend they hosted local rivals Colne & Nelson, a side they've lost to every year, sometimes heavily, until earlier this season when they turned the tables with a close fought victory last Holt House in early October. In this return fixture, the team not only won but managed a 7-try blockbuster performance.

In simple terms, the opposition were harried whenever they had the ball whereas Clitheroe broke quickly with superb support and despite the game being a bit close for comfort in the early exchanges, Clitheroe sprinted away against a very good C&N side.

George Hamlet, who's now finding his feet in the outside centre berth dotted down 4 times to take his tally to 8 for the season, three behind his inside centre partner on this occasion, Oscar Duck, who himself scored 3 fine conversions and distributed well throughout. Other try scorers included Tom Calton-Whittaker, Joe Aspin and Will Waller but it wasn't just those who scored points who deserve the plaudits; the whole team were immense. Also, Alfie Worthy's last-ditch tackle when the scorelines were finely balanced epitomised the effort and the skill on show from a number of players in turning over ball or setting up tries and this was a joy to behold.

The front row of Calton-Whittaker, Spink and Brown were brilliantly destructive and behind them Barraclough, Lee and back row players Aspin, Smith and Larkin snaffled up anything in front of them. Their line speed challenged C&N whenever they had possession and setup the platform for success. Furthermore, their rucking improved as the game wore on and choked the life out of the opposition. Half backs Worth and Wilkinson controlled the game superbly, passing, kicking and running as the game required. Decision-making here was crucial to the success of the day and there were some fine offloads assists that lead to a number of tries. Outside, Duck and Hamlet forged a cleve partnership after the late withdrawal of usual inside centre McLeod. Wingers Waller and Marsden were causing trouble out on the wings and when coming infield to find work. Full back Davies, starting his first game for the club grew into the game as it progressed whilst the substitutes White, Robinson, Horsfield and Thomson all made a significant contribution to the team when they took to the field.

Now, I am one of the coaches so biased I certainly am, however, for anyone involved here, parents, senior players watching, supporters and anyone else who've managed to support this team, I know that they'll agree- this is a special group of lads and the direction they're forging and journey they're on is as exciting and fulfilling as sport gets. Roll on the next fixture....

Clitheroe Team: (Forwards) Caleb Brown, Ethan Spink, Tom Calton-Whittaker, Rob Lee, Benji Barraclough, Joe Aspin, Will Larkin, Elliott Smith, Kyle Robinson, Freddie Thomson, George Horsfield (Backs) Alfie Worthy, Joe Wilkinson, Oscar Duck, George Hamlet, Will Waller, Joe Marsden, Jarvis Davies, Ralph White