Crosby Shade it in Tight Contest

Clitheroe’s rugby men took the long trip down to the flat Crosby mosslands on Saturday confident of putting in a good performance and registering a victory.
Unfortunately the latter didn't happen in quite the way they wanted and the former only in fits and starts.
There was a rare treat as the maroon and golds kept the same starting XV from the previous week, the only changes on the bench; where utility back Garth Spencer and veteran loose forward Ralph Rigby [pic] joined the ubiquitous four square prop Jim Smith and late bencher Bob Wilkinson.
A level and firm playing surface and calm clement weather greeted the players and promise of an open free flowing match was on offer.
This never really transpired as Clitheroe struggled to get into the game early on. Most of the rugby was played in the centre of the pitch with neither side managing to grasp the nettle.
Some local law interpretations, from the Liverpool referee, baffled and frustrated Clitheroe for long periods of the first half. At times they seemed they could do nothing correct, and fell foul of the happy whistler time and time again.
It was a shame, as both sides had some speedy backs and were willing to run the ball, but even the most minor infringement, brought play to a halt.
However when Clitheroe did get their game going they made some good yardage and spent a protracted period of time in the Crosby 22 just before the break, but just couldn’t find the killer punch.
By now they had lost wing man Jordan Wilde who had turned an ankle, to be replaced by the lively Spencer. A shame for the young man, as he was showing some real appetite for action, coming off his wing well, and popping up in unexpected positions.
Just before the break Darren Eagle was off in the blood bin and on skipped Andrew Rigby, fresh from his holidays, spinning round the countryside in his his big green tractor, and typically straight into the fray.
With scores just 3-0 against them at the break, and still not yet even hitting their straps, Clitheroe were quietly confident of putting the game to bed in the second half.
The Littlemoor men started the half well pounding into Crosby territory, using the pack to make some hard yardage, Steve Dowson and Brian Hough in the thick of it and nimble prop Ben Graves making many a half break and asking questions of the home defence.
Eventually the tide began to turn and Clitheroe forced a line out on the five metre line. A good take in the middle and a rumble from the pack saw Ross Chamberlain emerge with the ball.
More of the same please – implored the travelling support. But disaster struck soon after.
A rare break out of defence saw Crosby work their winger into a try scoring position, but a last ditch cover tackle was deemed illegal by the official. Result – a penalty try, and crucially a conversion under the posts.
Now 10-5 down, Clitheroe threw everything at it. The bench was emptied – Smith on for Andrew Thornber in the front row, and Eagle back on; this time for ageless William Oliver McEntyre in the back row.
But it was never going to be enough, and although the attacks kept coming, there was always an air of desperation, with the final pass often going astray.
Clitheroe gained a penalty to narrow the gap, but somehow you knew it was never going to be enough.
Sure enough when the full time whistle went in mid play, it just about summed up the day.
One to forget really and far better focusing on this Saturday when Clitheroe welcome promotion pushers Thornton Cleveleys to Littlemoor [ko 3pm]. Thornton have been in the top two of the table all season and have lost just the once this term. It will be a stern test for Clitheroe but as always they tend to raise their game for the big occasions.