A tough encounter sees the 1sts coming second!

Clitheroe opened their league campaign with a loss but let's not take anything away from the Clitheroe players, who stuck to their task well and but for a few dubious decisions they might well have sneaked a win against sizeable and aggressive opponents.

Clitheroe travelled over the hill to Rossendale with a mixture of veterans and youngsters. Old heads such as second row Rigby, Watson and Captain McEntyre were joined by a new look back line including old boy Nathan Peel at centre and Joe Basquill, a Senior Colts player who made his Clitheroe first team league debut in fine style from full back.

Rossendale took the ball up through their forwards from the first whistle but found themselves driven back by probing kicks from Watson. With only 2 minutes gone 'Dale conceded a penalty within kickable range but Lafranceschina pushed it wide. With Clitheroe starting to look the more agile of the two teams it augured well for the visitors but poor tackling allowed the opposition fly half to waltz through and after quick recycling the ball moved left where the full back crossed the whitewash. The conversion followed to make it 7-0 to the home team.

Clitheroe were doing well in the lineouts and looked dangerous with ball in hand but were being pummeled at scrum time. That said, McEntyre was still managing to protect the ball enough for scrum half Smith to scoop it away and Clitheroe were starting to boss the game, enjoying significant possession and territory. After 30 minutes the pressure told and following a great set move from a lineout, well taken by forward convert Lafranceschina, James "Bickie" Dickinson streaked to the corner to make it 7-5. A penalty conceded not long after gave Rossendale a golden chance to extend their lead and that they did to make it 10-5 at half time.

Clitheroe started the second half well and exhibited great passing skills at close range with forwards and backs supporting well. If this aspect of their game can be built upon, Clitheroe will be very successful this season. Also, changes in forwards personnel improved the scrum no end to the point where Clitheroe were now pushing the large Rossendale pack off their ball. On 55 minutes a penalty allowed Clitheroe to make good yardage into the 'Dale half and more superb interplay between numerous players gave centre Hal the room he needed to draw his man and deliver a fine pass to Dickinson, who doubled his tally with a fine finish. This time the kick was successful and the score now stood at 12-10 to Clitheroe.

Dickinson was involved again not too long later when he managed to bring down the large Rossendale prop just short of the line after he'd bust through and romped 50 yards down field. Dickinson was everywhere in attack and defence! Unfortunately, even he couldn't prevent a penalty in front of the sticks which Rossendale duly converted to once again take the lead, 13-12.

At this point the game got a little niggly and replacement prop Carins was rather unlucky to be the only one yellow carded following an altercation with a second row and rather than being a man down, Clitheroe should perhaps have been a man up after scrum half Smith was clattered by his opposite number only moments earlier after releasing the ball from the back of a scrum.

A few minutes later Rossendale extended their lead with a try in the right corner after Clitheroe failed to adequately clear their lines. A close range penalty to the home side took Rossendale into an unassailable lead and the game ended with the score at 21-10.

Although it's never OK to be satisfied with a loss, Clitheroe will take much away from this game. They do have an exciting back line and they're finding an edge at the breakdown not seen for some time. If they tighten up in the set piece and create a quicker link between backs and forwards they'll provide stern opposition to any team in this competitive league.

Next week see the 1st XV entertain Hutton 2nds at home, kick off 3pm whilst the 2nd XV travel to Orrell and the Senior Colts make the same trip the following day.

Team: Graves, Penney, Edmondson, Rigby, Chamberlain, Lafranceschina, Curphey, Mcentyre, Smith, Watson, Dickinson, Peel, Hal, O'Connor, Basquill Subs: Carins, Thornber, Birch