Clitheroe travelled to Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday on the back of half a weeks worth of training and the other half consisting of a heart to heart forum to iron out any perceived differences amongst players/managers/coaches.
If this excellent performance is the result then it should be repeated every week!
One point ahead at the turn round, it took Ashton’s heavy pack to finally subdue the plucky Clitheroe XV in the final quarter.
On an almost spring like day playing with the wind on a super playing surface, the visitors tore into Ashton, who never got their hands on the ball in the first ten minutes.
But as if things were going too well; the injury jinx hit again. Loose forward Alex Bolton left the action with a nasty knee ligament problem. A desperate shame for the promising youngster, especially after winning rave review in the 2nd XV over the last few weeks, to have his full debut for the senior XV cut short.
With only two bench men to choose from a reshuffle was in order, James Waterworth coming onto the wing, Jordan Wilde moving to full back and versatile Martin Lafranceschina moving into the pack.
This didn’t seem to faze the Maroons as the upped the tempo even more. Some good line breaks were made but just couldn’t find the final pass – prop Ben Graves showing a turn of speed along with No.8 Darren Eagle, both prominent in open play.
Two penalties from the boot of Lafranceschina put Clitheroe ahead, but this seemed to stir the slumbering giant, that is the Ashton pack, into life.
Clitheroe had to withstand some intense pressure towards the end of the half. The had seemed to weather the storm after a punishing series of close quarter scrums were repelled, but eventually Ashton fashioned an unstoppable forward surge to touch down in the corner.
The half time talk was positive and upbeat, and basically seemed to be more of the same commitment is needed. Captain Nathan Peel mapping out the second half for the players; guts or glory lads! was the battle cry.
Nip and tuck again for most of the second period, Clitheroe’s defensive line working hard for each other - putting the Ashton three-quarter line under pressure and snuffing out any momentum at source. Centres, Chris Waddington and Stuart Railton combining well, along with the Skipper at fly half, in creating an impenetrable maroon and gold defensive wall.
However the Ashton fly half had now found his range, and with the aid of a stiffening breeze kept Clitheroe pinned back in their own 22 for long periods.
It came down to unforced errors from Clitheroe to let Ashton off the hook; an odd missed touch finder here, not dealing with a high ball there and too many greedy hands in the rucks shipping the penalties that kept the pressure on the Littlemoor men.
A converted try and a penalty kick was enough to seal it for the home side, who were mightily relieved to escape with a win.
For Clitheroe, it seemed like a corner has been turned. Attitude and commitment, considered a prerequisite anyway, was A1. Coupled with good on field organisation, structure and communication the future must be bright for this team.
Now all that needs addressing is consistency in selection which requires consistency in player availability..…….only then this team can start meeting some of the goals laid out for them this season.