It's 3 wins on the bounce for the U16s

Clitheroe U16s have had a bright start to the season, probably the brightest ever for this side, that's now been together for around 4 years. After a loss at Sedgley Park in their first game, they'd won away in consecutive games against Bury & Colne & Nelson and were going into this game, away at Garstang, in buoyant form.

A good squad of 20 arrived at Garstang, although they were without a couple of props through injury and unavailability and suffered the late withdrawal of winger Waller, a player who's been in star form so far this season. Clitheroe started the game strongly and it was only 2 minutes before they were on the score sheet. Some great inter-passing down the right wing sent winger Duck away and he showed blazing speed to outstrip the floundering defence. Wilkinson added the extras to give the away side a 7-0 lead.

Garstang hit back quickly and it was evident their forwards were their strongest aspect as they took the ball up strongly 5 minutes in and Garstang scored their first try.

In this ping pong 1st half, Garstang once again were attacking well but as the ball moved across their line it was Duck once again coming to the fore, this time pouncing on a loose ball before sprinting down the right wing once more to score his second try. It was another 10 mins before Garstang claimed another try to move the score to 12-10 in Clitheroe's favour.

The last 12 minutes of the half were all Clitheroe's. Firstly, Wilkinson benefitted from the ball being quickly recycled at Clitheroe pushed at Garstang's line. He found a bit of space out on the left and forcing his way through two tacklers he reached out to dot the ball down. Not long afterwards, Wilkinson scored his second, roughly in the same place, but this time he showed a clean pair of heels to round the right wing.

As the half time whistle blew Clitheroe were 24-10 to the good.

Players were rotated for the 2nd half and Clitheroe debutants Robinson and Davies took to the field, and both of them putting in solid displays.In that second half Clitheroe played exceptionally well and although conceding 2 more tries to the hosts, they score 5 tries of their own. McLeod, running some great lines and troubling the Garstang back line each time he got the ball, score tries at either end of the half. Hooker Spink was on the end of a brilliant team try when the team really showed how they've improved, looking for each other in space rather than showing the white line fever they'd suffered from in recent games. More examples of superb interlinking between forwards and backs followed and centre Hamlet found his way over the whitewashed. Finally, just before McLeod had score the final try, Duck powered down the right wing to complete the hat-trick.

This was an excellent display and gave the side their 3rd consecutive victory, something they've never down before. Each player played their part but it was more that this team was greater than the sum of its parts to the point where the parents and coaches all talked of how proud they were of the lads after the game had concluded. Mentions on top of those already include No.8 Smith, who lead his pack brilliantly by example despite carrying a facial injury from the last game, and flanker Aspin, a players who’s added a real dynamic dimension to Clitheroe’s attacking player in particular.

We're all now looking forward to their next game, at home to local rivals Burnley in the Junior Challenge competition on Sunday 6th November, 11am Kick off. We hope to see you there!