Clitheroe 1st XV
Matches
Sat 29 Sep 2012  ·  North Lancs 2
Ashton-U-Lyne
15
6
CLITHEROE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Clitheroe 1st XV
Penalties: M Lafranceschina: Penalty Try
Ashton heavyweights overcome plucky Clitheroe

Ashton heavyweights overcome plucky Clitheroe

Roger Holmes1 Oct 2012 - 13:46
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Close but no Cigar...Coach's money safe for another week

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.

Match details

Match date

Sat 29 Sep 2012

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

12:15

Instructions

Squad for Ashton;starting XV TBC....please note meet time.

Show respect to others by turning up promptly on time!

Attendance

9

Competition

North Lancs 2
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Main Sponsor 22/23 - Steel & Son with Bagot Heyes
Pitchside Sponsor - Whalley Corn Mills
Teamwear & Pitchside sponsor - MEDIA VILLAGE
Player Sponsor - LANX SHOES
Player Sponsor - WINTERBOTHAM DARBY
Player Sponsor - Cherrytree Bakery
Player Sponsor - X. & P. Mcguigan Civil Engineering Ltd
Player Sponsor - Fellside Farming
Teamwear & Pitchside sponsor - BOWKER BMW
Pitchside Sponsor - BOWLAND BREWEY
Pitchside Sponsor - The Emporium
Pitchside Sponsor - BYRNES & Co
Pitchside Sponsor - Harrisons Engineering
Pitchside Sponsor - HUNTER TREE SERVICES
Pitchside Sponsor - MITTON HALL
Pitchside Sponsor - NETTLETONS JEWELLERS
Pitchside Sponsor - NJD SPORTS INJURIES
Pitchside Sponsor - PT TRAINING GROUP
Pitchside Sponsor - RIBBLE FM
Pitchside Sponsor - SALAR MEDIA SERVICES
Pitchside Sponsor - SPIROFLOW
Pitchside Sponsor - A & R Plant Hire (NW) Ltd
Match Sponsor - ITUS SECURITY SYSTEMS
PRINCIPAL SHIRT SPONSOR 2016=17 - JONES HOMES
Pitchside Sponsor - SIGNTEC
Beer Festival 2014 - Spar
Kit Sponsor - Caterpillar