Fylde bring on the subs, then some more, then some more.....

In the second game of the holiday period Clitheroe travelled to Fylde Vikings looking for a win after soundly beating them the last time they met. With both teams playing on the Bank Holiday Monday players were always at a stretch to the town’s rugby club and both teams duly travelled with limited numbers. After a steady start Fylde took an early advantage with a penalty, which seemed to wake the Maroon & Gold up. A well worked lineout move ended with Lafranceschina crashing over to pull back into the lead. Shortly after Fylde took another penalty and from the restart Clitheroe regained possession and put Fylde under pressure only to lose the ball and Fylde seemingly cleared their lines with a kick. From the line out Lafranceschina gathered the ball and streaked up the pitch and when he was finally dragged down he got the pop pass away to Skipper McEntyre who drove over the line to score and Clitheroe had taken the lead 6 – 12.
Fylde were spurred into action and made several changes which turned the game for them as they proceeded to score a couple of tries to make the score 20 – 12 at half time. After the turn-round Fylde had made more changes and came out firing, quickly scoring 2 tries with one converted and pressing into a decent lead. After both teams had slotted a penalty a piece it was Clitheroe who ended that match the stronger with some great territory and possession in the last 15 minutes but the scores required would just not come. The final score being 35 – 15 to Fylde Vikings, but with Clitheroe playing with great passion and pride throughout the game.
Next week the 1st XV entertain league leaders Rossendale at Littlemoor and will look to cause and upset to a team who have only lost once all season, while the 2nd XV travel to local rivals Colne & Nelson for some East Lancs hospitality.