Back to rugby then for the 1st XV after nearly a month of inactivity. adverse monsoon weather, lads stuck in 6 foot snowdrifts and opposition teams crying off have left the team decidedly rusty - must be all that rain!
So it was Bury RFC who called into Littlemoor after a quick sprint up the M66, looking to do the double on the home team. Clitheroe , of course, had other ideas after the hefty reverse down there prior to Christmas.
The scene was set: the pitch looked in pretty good order for a late winter playing surface - even though it did appear a bit devoid of greenery in patches, older readers will remember similar football grounds in the 1970s. However in fact the surface was grand for playing and with a little weak sunshine trying to get out, it brought the crowds out onto the touchline.
Great to see our junior ball boys involved again before and during the game - Fixtures Sec Struan marshalling the lads with all the effectiveness of an out of control sheepdog.
The maroon line up had a decent and youthful look about it. Heavyweights in the front row of Tom Walton, Pete Mitchell and Josh Burns were well supported by the regular pairing of Sam Barr and Wayne Tierney in the engine room. Chris Waddington and James Dickinson were joined by the freshly shorn Rich Cunningham in the back row.
With regular No 9 Burns at an European judo championship in Prague, it was a chance for the Disco King Jack Stanley to shine in the scrum half berth. His partner in crime was Matt Bleasdale at outside half. A dashing centre pairing of light and shade - the dark brooding looks of Nick Roberts at 12 and the youthful blonde, former boy wonder, Will Tattersall at 13.
Oscar the Hammer Duck moved to full back and Spider Nadin and Sam White made up a swift looking back three.
A handy bench as well; the three Joe's - Wilkinson, Aspin and, fresh from Italy, Weld-Blundell. Joined by Adam Wood and Rory Campbell.
That was the line up - what about the game I hear you cry...well...
Bury scored first and although Clitheroe kept them out for long periods the couldn't gain any momentum. Therefore any pressure the did create was quickly dissipated.
It took an hour before Clitheroe troubled the scoreboard but by the Bury were 0-19 to the good.
Sensing the game maybe slipping away the maroons upped the tempo at last and made some meaningful strides into the heart of the Bury defence. A forward rush over to the left involving Mitchell to the fore went for the line. Somehow Sam White who felt the urge to join the fat boys, burrowed in and claimed the try. No extras.
Bury claimed one back before Clitheroe launched another assault on the line. Penalty given five metres out. Whilst everyone dithered Sam White tapped to himself and powered over by the sticks. Oscar drilled the conversion to keep the maroons just in the game.
However no comeback was occurring as Bury scored another to quash any thoughts of a miracle escape.
A lot closer than the reciprocal game you could say, but a rusty Clitheroe will be frustrated with the performance. Not downhearted as such, but know they have yet to recapture their early season form yet.
Plenty of promise and some good players - just lacking the magic elixir - perhaps it's there on a training night, waiting to be supped. Tasty.