Clitheroe move up to 5th in the table after a workmanlike victory at Old Bedians. They were asked to work hard for it especially in the first half when they struggled to contain Bedians off loading and support play, but superior fitness ground down resistance and they ran out fairly comfortable winners in the end.

The maroons welcomed back Tom Walton joining Pete ‘Wombat’ Mitchell and Josh Burns in a solid front row up front with the supertankers. Just one change in the three-quarters with James Cathcart almost filling the No15 jersey.

After a wet week the pitch at Didsbury was in fairly decent nick with only a few wet spots, plus the pleasant perpetual roar of the nearby M60 and the air traffic from the Manchester airport gave the traveling spectators to grab a few plane numbers in their notebooks during the dull bits of play.

Your correspondent had barely had time to unwrap his sandwiches and set up the box brownie camera before the ageless Will Tattersall was slicing through the home defence for an excellent try. No extras but the best possible start. [0-5]
Not to be outdone the home side collected their thoughts and immediately marched downfield to score one of their own. No extras [5-5]

Tit for Tatt you may say.

Worse was to come as Bedians upped the tempo and some good support play put them over for another try. Conversion over and a slight concern among the traveling fans. [12-5]

Clitheroe were trying hard to get in the game and occasional promising attacks seemed to breakdown at the last minute, with passes going astray and balls going to ground. Trying too hard maybe?

But just before the interval another attack seemed to falter on the Bedians 22, but while everyone looked at the ref, Wombat Mitchell was busy unobtrusively trotting under the posts for a try. Conversion slid wide and 12-10

Tempers were fraying as both sides fought for domination and co captain Nick Roberts led by example as the ref waved a yellow card in his direction – off to the naughty step.

Half time and a reappraisal/bollocking/sales pitch from Coach Few

So, while the game seemed to still be on a knife edge, the second period started well for the maroons. An early penalty settler seemed to boost the visitors and deflate the home team as Clitheroe took the lead again via a Nathon Burns kick [12-13]

The town team then upped their game and before long waves of maroon attacks were coming. Eventually the dam was breached and Josh Burns kept up the front rowers end up by rumbling over. Conversion by Brother Burns and 12-20 up it was looking more comfortable.

Roberts returned to further dispirit the home team now facing a full compliment. No surprise then when AD Davies, quiff swaying in the breeze – a lovely sight - reminiscent of Wavell Wakefield himself, scorched over.
Hot on his heals and not to be outdone in the aging boy band looks, young Gary Barlow lookalike Will Tattersall grabbed his second of the game.
Next came birthday boy skipper Nick Roberts, not to feature in a boy band anytime soon, scoring a well deserved try after his earlier indiscretions.

In the closing minutes Clitheroe were camped on the Bedians line and after ignoring an easy overlap several times it was Ed Sinclair who came up from a pile of bodies on the line clutching the ball and a big grin for the try. White line fever from the pack!

A fantastic second half for Clitheroe; 36 unanswered points as Bedians tired quite dramatically. Aided and abetted by some punishing ball carrying work from the pack, Walton, Oscar Duck and Joe Wilkinson alongside Roberts always prominent. The back three of Cathcart, Jack Stanley and Connor Fletcher were always keen to counter attack and were instrumental in may of the scores.
Special mention must go to lock forward Wayne Tierney – he had an absolute workhorse of a game and emptied the tank for the jersey. Star player!

This Saturday a big test away at Burnley. Postponed twice already. Third time lucky?