Halted in the mire at Vale

Injuries and absentees still hammer Clitheroe hard at present, so while the pack resembled a typical selection – the back line had a very youthful look to it with bundles of pace among the centres and back 3. Unfortunately, weather and pitch conditions meant it was a day for flippers and snorkel rather than boots and a gum shield and a close quarter war of attrition rather than expansive running rugby ensued. On a pitch which to be honest was barely playable at the start and deteriorated throughout the game the only score came in the first few minutes of the first half with a Vale of Lune try which was converted for the hosts to take a 7 nil lead while the Maroon & Gold were still napping having suffered a nightmare journey to the Powderhouse Lane ground on the outskirts of Lancaster. Vale play an aggressive tight game, which at times was on the edge of what the referee found acceptable and his patience was finally tested too far and a Vale forward was sin binned for 10 minutes. In the conditions it was unsurprising that is where the score-line stayed at 7 – 0 in the first half despite the best efforts of the forwards and the half back pairing of Smith and Railton – the latter having manfully stepped into the breach at the last minute from his usual position of outside centre..

At the change round the pitch had deteriorated further with areas standing in inches of water there was little chance either side running away with points. Captain Oliver McEntyre elected to keep the ball tight and play the game close to the breakdown, this was frustrated by Vale cannily playing the referee very well and after increasing numbers of penalties for handling in the ruck punished with no greater sanction than the kick to Clitheroe, tempers flared and Clitheroe prop Carins found himself cooling down under the posts for 10 minutes following a yellow card. Some great running from Joe Basquill, Olly Greenwood, James Dickinson & Martin O’Connor in the backline when they did eventually see the ball could not find a way through the Vale defence and the forwards piled into attack without reward for all their efforts. With Vale never giving up their attempts to extend their lead, the Maroon & Gold defence held very firm and while they ventured into the Clitheroe 22 area there was only one occasion they got close to the line, an attack which was snubbed out by wingman Ernest Thomas combining with the forwards. The game inevitably splashed and sloshed its way to the final whistle and while Vale were pleased with their win, Clitheroe can take many positives from the game as the look forward to entertaining Upper Eden at Littlemoor next Saturday.