1sts Grind It Out in the Mud

Clitheroe 1st XV played host to North Manchester on Saturday in what proved to be a great afternoon for the club.

Clitheroe were out to make amends after a bad loss to high flying rivals Ormskirk the week before. A bit of reshuffling in the squad through unavailability and injury so Adam ‘space jam’ penney get the nod at hooker, South African getty started at fly half and James Edward moving from his preferred wing role to inside Centre.

The hosts started strongly some big carry’s from the front five working off some nice lineout moves so an early penalty opportunity. Up stepped Jonny Cuddy for an easy 3. From the restart Clitheroe again worked there way up into the opposition half with coach getty smashing through numerous tackles living up to the prematch hype. Some nice hands from the backs so winger Micheal floyd dance his way over for the first try of the afternoon cuddy adding the extras. 10-0.

With clitheroe in the driving seat and confidence beginning to come back into the lads it was north manchester that scored next against the run of of play some nice backs moves so them score under the posts, conversion added 10-7.

After a few choice words clitheroe had the bit back between there teeth. More forward dominance led by skipper Dickenson so the opposition making more errors. A clitheroe scrum on north Manchester’s 5 metre line resulted in clitheroes utility scrum half strudog Robertson popping the ball up to getty who barrelled over, conversion missed 15-7 at halftime

With the wind beginning to ease and the rain stopping the home team knew that north manchester were there for the taking. From the kick off the pack took control. More big carry’s and a strong set piece gave the backs front foot ball all afternoon a special mention to young Henry bailey a great addition to the squad who’s afternoon was ended early with a dislocated shoulder get well soon bud ??.

On came the subs the younger Dickenson brother Nat in place of the injured bailey. James ‘angry’ Pate came into the front row with the skipper moving to hooker and Gary pickup on for floydy. After the injury to bailey the game started to open up . Some big hits both in defence and attack. Pate receiving a warning from the ref which he deemed a dangerous tackle, then only 2 minutes after, tackling high on his opposite number. Yellow card. All of a sudden north manchester were in the ascendancy a nice kick over the top clitheroe found themselves on there own try line a dropped ball in the midfield and some quick thinking by the opposition , try under the posts conversion missed somehow 15-12.

With 10 minutes to go it was anyone’s. Pate was back on the field. The forwards from the kick off managed to secure possession and began some proper old fashioned stick it up the jumper stuff. Yard by yard they worked there way under the posts Ben graves this time smashing over. Cuddy adding the extras 22-12 final score.

In all a great afternoon at the club with the 2’s getting there first victory. Next week the 1sts travel away to bury hoping to keep the momentum going. Cheers to the tireless phil Isherwood again managing to get the game on with his work on the pitch and man of the match Ralph rigby at 80 years old it’s some going to still be doing this week in week out

Report by WD (pictured)!