Clitheroe Edged out in Derby Thriller

Clitheroe’s rugby men made the short hop over the Nick o’Pendle to visit Holt House, home of Colne & Nelson RFC, our local ‘derby’ rivals in North Lancs Div 2.

In the last couple of seasons, Clitheroe have found Colne a tricky venue and often found it hard going against a committed team playing in front of a vociferous home crowd.
But this season’s vintage Clitheroe seemed to have turned over a new leaf and with a fine win in their previous outing they travelled with confidence and enthusiasm.

The back line had a reassuring familiar look about it, the only change being Garth Spencer coming in on the wing in place of Dan Smith.

Clitheroe ‘s injuries are just beginning to clear and threequarters, Greg Birch and Joe Smith are poised to make a return to action in the forthcoming weeks. Although back rower Luke Hayton and props Tom Hardman and Ben Graves are still a little bit off full fitness.

However for this week, aside from the injuries, it was work commitments, weddings and holidays which tested the selection committee’s patience to the full during the week.
Shorn of four regular lock forwards, up stepped Pete Farnsworth and Will Dickenson moved from the blindside flank. Danny Cowgill came into the back row to join the small but perfectly formed Struan Robertson. Pack leader Darren Eagle, the All Black reject, moved across to the No8 position.

So often in past years the weather has been atrocious, but this was a perfect day for open and exciting rugby.
Colne started very strongly and put Clitheroe under extreme pressure in the early exchanges. The home pack was man for man larger than the Clitheroe eight and put them through the mincer in the set scrums for the first half.
Front foot ball was hard to come by and the lads just had to dig in for all they were worth, but eventually Colne forced a penalty to open their account.

Spurred on by an enthusiastic travelling support Clitheroe were the next on the score sheet. After probably only the second or third venture into the Colne 22, the ball was spun to the right. Full back Chris Stewart injected some pace into the move and Craig Procter off loaded through a double tackle to the looping Nathan Peel, who scuttled over for the try. So somewhat against the run of play Clitheroe were ahead 3-5.

Moments later Colne retook the lead with some powerful approach work by their pack and some direct running from their back they scored two more converted tries by the interval.
17-5 down at the turn round Clitheroe felt they were definitely still in the game. By now Richard Slinger had come on for the groggy Danny Cowgill to reinvigorate the back row.

A lax beginning to the second half let Colne over again. But this seemed to turn the tide and install some extra self belief in the team. A few tactical subs refreshed the team; Mike Doherty on in the back row and ageless John Procter at prop, and the last half hour was all Clitheroe.

Almost the rest of the game was now played in the Colne 22 as Clitheroe besieged the home team’s line. It was Colne now who were on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle and the match heated up to boiling point.

By now Clitheroe had emptied their bench with Jake Procter and Miles Sharples coming on for debuts at lock and left wing respectively. Plus veteran Dave Watson who replaced Richard Few at scrum half.

A slightly unbecoming scuffle near the try line seemed to spur Clitheroe on even more and eventually a chink of an opening was fashioned for a score. A series of close quarter charges from the pack then quick hands out to Sharples lurking on the wing, who showed great pace to score in the corner.

Clitheroe attacked again but were beaten by the clock in what was a pulsating final half hour’s rugby.

3 tries to 2 was not a bad return compared to previous seasons but Clitheroe will be slightly disappointed with some facets of accuracy and execution in their game. But what will not disappoint anyone was the spirit shown by the players in the maroon and gold jerseys. It is something you cannot bottle and artificially produce on demand, but is forged on the training paddock, in the Clubhouse and, more importantly, in games like this

This week Clitheroe 1st XV welcome Crosby St.Marys RFC and the 2nd XV host Vale of Lune 4ths. Both home games 3pm kick off.