Unusually scoreless

Clitheroe travelled away to the seaside to have their first glimpse of a Fleetwood 2nd XV team that has sat high in the league since September, knowing they were in for a close encounter. With no game for the Fleetwood first XV, they were always going to have a strong squad at home - the Maroon & Gold were on the flip side with injuries and unavailability meaning both Clitheroe squads were limited numerically, if not in calibre.

Kick off came after a nightmare journey avoiding road works and 15 minute hike to the pitch which meant that Clitheroe started the match after a rushed warm up and duly after 8 minutes Fleetwood had crossed over for an opening try, which was unconverted. This seemed to wake up the team and they played some good rugby which saw them press the Fleetwood line on several occasions and a good 20 minutes of pressure was absorbed by Fleetwood, who continued to run from deep when the ball was in their hands.

With half time approaching, Clitheroe were holding their own if not looking as dangerous and penetrative has they have done in previous weeks – scrum half Smith having his usual intrusive, abrasive game and ably back up by his half back partner Watson, while the switched centre pairing of Railton and Peel took time to gel but showing they had potential to break the gain line given a touch of space. With half time approaching some slack tackling cost the visitors a further try (converted) took the score to 12 – 0 to Fleetwood, who on balance deserved their lead. By this time blindside flank Nuttall had left the pitch with an eye injury to be replaced by first team debutant Kyl Manson-Kullin who slotted in at prop while Edmondson moved into the second row and Curphey to his favoured blindside flank from where his trademark bullocking runs were seen to good affect.

With the second half beckoning the kickoff was taken and Clitheroe started brightly once more, Edmondson continuing his excellent work of the first half and hooker Penny making no small contribution also. After 10 minutes and slightly against the run of play Fleetwood ran the ball from deep and dotted down under the posts to take the score to 19 – 0, again slack tackling the culprit. With Manson-Kullin and Proctor both propping very well – each from either end of the age scale – Clitheroe started to get the upper hand of the scrum as they were driven on by the powerhouse 2nd row Dowson, this helped the team more on to the front foot at the set piece.

One foray into the Fleetwood half led to a Clitheroe penalty and as it was directly in front of the posts the easy 3 points were opted for, despite looking to most observers like the kick was good the flags stayed down and Clitheroe felt slightly hard done by.

In the last 20 minutes the match went to and fro without either side particularly coming close to scoring, Fleetwood looking to spread the ball wide in attack and Clitheroe on the counter attack when gaining the turnover. As the final minutes ebbed away, Clitheroe still took to running the ball and fullback Basquill made some great runs after gathering up Fleetwood’s high balls, wings O’Connor and Ben Rigby were always in support and looked like a back 3 on a mission in attack. As the final whistle went Fleetwood took all the points 19 – 0 and deservedly so.

All in all a disappointing result as man for man there was little between the teams, the match therefore highlights the need for enthusiastic training and punctuality to get plenty of preparation time before kickoff. This focus will be needed from now until April in order to achieve the good finish position in the league this squad deserves.

Positives to take from the game were the return after long term injury of darting fullback Basquill, who with his wing men Ben Rigby and O’Connor always looked exciting in attack and the excellent debut of Manson-Kullin in the front row. With returns from injury and work commitments plus the exciting debutants of recent weeks, given more time to gel this is a team that should fear no team in the league.

The Clitheroe v. Fleetwood return match at home is only 3 weeks away and that is a game which should boil into one of the matches of the season – it could well be standing room only at Littlemoor, especially if there is a full squad to pick from. Next week the Maroon & Gold entertain Vale of Lune 3rds at Littlemoor, who have been one of the form teams of late in the league – kick off 2.15