Done Over in Didsbury

Another week slips by and that win is still like the elusive Pimpernel. They seek him here, there and everywhere up and down the M60; but the Clitheroe management firmly believe the victory – the mysterious zephyr, forever just out of ones outstretched grasp, will one day very soon be snaffled up and carried aloft to the Littlemoor clubhouse. How agreeable indeed that will that be.
Down in deepest Didsbury was Bedians lair. A fine one it was too – an amazingly firmish pitch, ideal for running open rugby the prop forwards groaned – only a short stud needed today.
As usual the spirited Skipper Nathan Peel was bedevilled by the injury and unavailability curse. It is one that has plagued him for most of the season. There is no doubt if by some fluke of nature he was able to put together his first choice squad on a regular basis then the team would be in a far stronger position.
However there was a welcome return to 1st XV action for Mark Preston, returning to rugby after too many years wasted chasing a little ball around a golf course. Also good to see the talented James Sharples’ dashing good looks resurface in the three-quarter line. Up front, he of the boy band hair cut and perma-tan, Sam Thornber made a long awaited return into the back row. And Stuart Railton recovered from a queasy week on his sickbed to slot into the No 10 jersey.
So some new and some old, but plenty of experience, and on the face of it a decent enough squad, despite looking a trifle thin on bench cover.
It was a nip and tuck first half, and in fact it was all Bedes for the opening period as Clitheroe could not get their game going. Even for the notorious slow starters, Clitheroe were mentally still half way down the motorway.
Bedes were on fire out wide, and their outside backs had plenty of gas and broke through an more than one occasion causing alarm bells ringing for the scramble defence to react. Only some excellent last gasp tackles from full back Smudge Smith kept them at bay for long stretches.
But just as Clitheroe thought they had weathered the opening storm, Bedes at last were through and under the posts.
Undaunted the Maroons fought back and began to make some headway. Some barnstorming runs from prop Ben Graves and lock Alex Hough gained the field position. Then a penalty chance came their way Martin Lafranceschina opened Clitheroes account with a well struck kick. A similar one, just on the stroke of half time, just shaded past the post. But at only 7-3 down at the turnaround Clitheroe were still quietly confident.
The start of the second half saw Bedians quicker out of the blocks and they again scored a converted try to put clear daylight between the teams.
As the second period continued Bedes managed to wrestle control of the game and were causing Clitheroe no end of bother in retaining procession. Some sharp play at the breakdown saw the ball come back on the home side of the rucks on far too many occasions.
As legs began to tire, Clitheroe exhausted their rather slim bench resources and still kept up their spirited attempts to force a score. But it was the Disbury lads who had the final say in scoring another try under the posts.
Maybe not good enough on the day for Clitheroe, marginally second best at the breakdown and at lineout time, but it was enough for the home side to secure victory.
Well done to Bedians; a good all round outfit. Look forward to the ruturn fixture.