Clitheroe even the score

Clitheroe entertained Thornton Cleveleys at Littlemoor on Saturday and after the close reverse in the away fixture the Maroon & Gold were looking for a victory to avenge that defeat.
Starting brightly, they encamped in the Thornton half and put pressure on their line, within the first 10 minutes Clitheroe crossed the Thornton line twice only for the referee to pull play back for an earlier offence or to be unsighted. With Clitheroe in the ascendancy the Thornton winger gathered up the ball and cut neatly inside the defensive line then popped the ball up to supporting back row player who touched down under the posts. With the try converted Clitheroe found themselves 7 nil down after exerting all the early pressure.
The rallying squad then pressed back into the Thornton half looking for some reward for their earlier endeavour. From a scrum Watson popped to Peel who threw a long miss pass to Railton who duly touched down – simple but effective rugby. Conversion taken and the score was 7 -7, which is where it remained until half time. In reality the home team should have been home and clear given the dominance of the pack and speedy back line – at the half time team talk captain Oliver McEntyre told his troops to steady down, keep the ball in hand and given the dominance of the pack, the scores would come.
Immediately from the kick off Lafranceschina charged up the pitch and slipped the ball to Peel, at the ruck the ball flew back quickly and scrum half Watson found an unlikely wing man in the shape of burley prop Graves who charged over for the score, 12 – 7. Minutes later Peel was reward for his hard work with an excellent individual try under the posts after evading would be tacklers.
Now being rewarded for their endeavour with points on the scoreboard, the confidence grew and the back line were demanding the ball from the pack, after a series of rucks and mauls play moved from the Clitheroe half into the Thornton 22. Wing man O’Connor drew his man brilliantly and found that unlikely wingman Graves lurking on the blindside again and again he finished the move powerfully – sparking debate on the touchline as to his best position, wing or prop. Fitzhenry clinically slotted the conversion from the touchline.
Thornton were not to be outdone and launched a highball which bobbled about as it hit the ground straight into the arms of their left wing who scorched in under the posts to move the score to 26 – 14 and Thornton within 2 converted tries of the lead. After further good pressure, the Thornton pack transgressed and Fitzhenry slotted the 3 penalty points on offer to put the home team 15 points clear.
Again Clitheroe pressed until the end and rolled the ball up the pitch deep into Thornton territory, as the forwards rumbled on to within 10 metres of the Thornton line, with the backs calling for the ball. But the forwards decided they wanted reward for their dominating afternoon and continued to drive up to the try line. Confusion reigned as the referee put his whistle to his lips for a Thornton infringement but did not blow, quick thinking hooker Edmondson took the initiative and scooped up the ball to touch down – final score 36 – 14 to Clitheroe.
Another sound performance as the Maroon & Gold take to the road next Saturday to travel away to local rivals Pendle. Many performances of note with the pack dominant all afternoon and the back line putting the points on the board but the Emporium Man of the Match was scrum half Dave Watson who kept both forwards and backline moving all afternoon.