Pendle swoop 'over the hill' for the spoils.

A tale of two halves at Littlemoor on Saturday; local rivals Pendle RFC came over the hill to play their usual fast all court game, and within half an hour the game was seemingly done and dusted.

However in the second half the home side managed to get their act together and scored an excellent try of their own and could have had more with a little more patience and precision at the vital moments.

Once again Clitheroe were forced to shuffle their resources as several regulars were unavailable; either taking in the delights of Old Trafford, holidaying down under or filling up the injury bench.
A couple of early departures to key players during the game did not help Clitheroe's cause one bit.

If Skipper Nathan Peel could ever have the luxury of fielding his first choice team, then some results would have been different this season.

Nevertheless, one man's absence leads to an opportunity for another. So in at the last moment came Michael Thornber into the vacant second row and Dave Watson in at full back.

After a steady start from both teams it was Clitheroe who were on the board early with a well struck penalty from Declan Fitzhenry.
This only seemed to stir Pendle into action. And almost in no time they had crossed Clitheroe's line several times. Their outside backs showing tremendous pace and some sparkling passing which you could not help but admire – through gritted teeth!

During this onslaught Clitheroe lost both Fitzhenry, with a bash on the nose and also loose forward Darren Eagle with a pulled calf muscle, for the remainder of the game.
On came Richard Edmondson in the pack and Simon Gretton in the backs.

Half time just couldn't come soon enough for the maroon and golds. Some refocusing was required in the huddle, but the players were still confident of getting something out of the game.

The second period, bar the final five minutes, was all Clitheroe. The pack suddenly decided they could actually scrummage quite well when they applied themselves. Soon they were camped on the Pendle line and seemed destined to score on more than one occasion. Though in spite of Pendle giving away a stream of penalties under the posts they could not crack the stubborn visiting defence. On another day a yellow card may have reduced the penalty count, but you play to the referee on the day.
At last Clitheroe's pressure was rewarded when wingman, Greg Birch, who was in storming form, showed a fine burst of pace and some excellent footwork to score in the corner.

More changes brought on Kieron Keough and the evergreen John 'Pundy' Proctor in the front row; neither let the team down and were proud to wear the Club colours in the senior XV.

Somewhat mysteriously, that was Clitheroe's only try. The work rate never seemed to slacken from the home team but it was not to be Clitheroe's day, as Pendle had the last say in a breakaway try at the final whistle.

Special mention for Stuart Railton and Daniel Smith in the backs; both of whom had strong games. Plus Luke Hayton and Michael Thornber who both put in a full shift at the coal face.