A solid win to start the season

Clitheroe RUFC kicked off the 2010/11 season with a fixture which is rapidly becoming a favourite seasonal opener when they entertained Carnforth at Littlemoor. Carnforth are a similar club to Clitheroe and it was a great chance to meet up with old friends and foe alike as there will be no competitive meeting this season through the league between the two clubs.

In what was a squad game, the match was organised into 4 quarters and both teams started brightly on a perfect pitch expertly prepared by Phil Isherwood. Opening exchanges were even and it was a typically scrappy first 15 minutes. However, both teams were looking to run the ball and the touchline crowd were well entertained. Eventually it was Ben Graves who popped up 10 metres out from the Carnforth try line and with a neat sideslip he roared in to score the opening try of the season for the Maroon & Gold. The score remained at 7 – 0 until the end of the first quarter, although there were opportunities on both sides but early season rustiness intervened on most occasions.

Clitheroe had the upper hand again in the second quarter and a mazy run from James Dickinson saw him touchdown under the posts after some more great interplay between forwards and backs in a move which started well in the Clitheroe half. Carnforth were not to be outdone and had some rare rattles up the pitch but could not quite make the final pass go to hand as the Littlemoor defence held firm.

The 3rd quarter started with Carnforth getting into the match and beginning to look the stronger, as they attacked the Clitheroe line for a good 10 minute spell. After a number of penalties it was Watson who was singled out by the referee and he was sent to the sin bin in what was effectively a “team sin binning” The Maroon & Gold battled well when down to 14 men and the defence stayed strong to hold out a persistent Carnforth attack.

The fourth quarter beckoned and with Watson returned to the fray the home team started to exert some control on the game. First Birch scorched in towards the corner after quick hands from scrumhalf Barrett, who was having a very good first game for the club – however he did not touchdown, but the referee considered the tackle high to prevent the score and awarded a penalty try. With more pressure on the Carnforth line the forwards pounded in again and again to try to breach the defence, eventually with the scrumhalf tied into a ruck Captain McEntyre dived over the ruck to score after some good dummy runs pulled the defence wide. The final score of 28 – 0 did not really reflect the efforts of Carnforth and with the determination they showed throughout the 80 minutes they will have their usual good season, with all at Littlemoor wishing them well.

In conclusion for Clitheroe, some good performances from a squad numbering 28 players, but with plenty still to work on in training before fixtures against Ormskirk for the 1st XV and Aspull for the 2nd XV on the opening day of the league season. The highlight being the resolute defence from the whole squad, the power and ball retention of the forwards and vision to run the ball from deep in the back line.

Pre-season training continues at Littlemoor every Tuesday at 7 pm and all players young, old, experienced or new to the game are welcome to come down. Contact can be made through the club’s website or just turn up.