Clitheroe Win Again at Home

Following a mid season dip in form, Clitheroe have finally rediscovered some form at last. It can be no coincidence that the return of absent players has boosted the club and it is with a degree of confidence that the maroon and golds can look forward to the rest of the season.
Clitheroe welcomed Ormskirk to a damp and cold Ribblesdale pitch that had survived the overnight downpour.

Clitheroe had a strong squad to choose from and for once were only missing 3 regulars!!

The home side started strongly and dominated early possession and this culminated in a well worked try with a number of offloads before Slinger crossed the line to score. The conversion was missed and the sides then exchanged penalties to make the score 8 - 3 to the hosts.
The set piece was working well with Walton performing strongly with Pate, Dickinson W and Hayton all carrying well. The conditions were difficult and the game was physical but played in a good spirit.

Wringe returned at 9, combining well with Vaghetti who marshalled his back line well and also tackled strongly. Clitheroe for once had started strongly and at half time their lead was well deserved.

The second half began and Ormskirk threw everything at Clitheroe. The visitors dominated but were repulsed by some excellent defending. Rigby and Dickinson N were everywhere disrupting Ormskirks attacks. Though the defence was excellent the hosts missed a couple of chances to clear their line and eventually the ormskirk forwards slid over for a try, the conversion being missed.

This was a close contest and Chamberlain and Thornber entered the fray for Slinger and Hayton. Graves replaced the excellent Pate and Clitheroe finally managed to gain possession and exert pressure on Ormskirk. Dickenson J was binned for foul play but the maroon and golds continued to press and test the Ormskirk defence.

Floyd was replaced by Birch with 20 minutes to go and with Stewart at full back the back 3 looked dangerous with the ball.
Thornber carried well and ably supported by Rigby but the breakthrough wasn’t coming. Then Stewart made another lightning break beat a defender, drew another and then passed to Birch who finished excellently in the corner on his return to the club. Clitheroe saw the game out to earn a deserved victory against a good Ormskirk side.

There were many positives from the day, the return of Thornber and Birch, the defence held firm and the back line with the class of Stewart and Railton looks dangerous. Clitheroe can enter the second half of the season with confidence if the players remain consistently available.
Man of the match was Tom Walton for his excellent carries, strong defence and his general set piece play.

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