Home Record Intact

Clitheroe’s rugby team remain unbeaten on their Littlemoor turf this season after a six try romp over Crosby St. Marys RFC.

And this, without really hitting their straps until the final third of the game. So a comfortable and very pleasing result but one senses there is much more to come from this current squad.

A few changes as ever from the previous outing, with Marco Vaghetti returning in the centres the only change in the back line.
Up front there was a recall for Ross Chamberlain and Andrew Rigby at lock and Sam Thornber at No. 8.

A slightly delayed kick off due the late arrival of our opposition seemed to unsettle the home team more than the visitors. And after a very brief period of pressure on the line Clitheroe found themselves stood under the posts wondering, no doubt, what had happened.

However Clitheroe slowly managed to get into gear and bgan to play a bit of decent rugby. They seemed to have the upper hand at scrum time. Plus the pace out wide to cause no end of problems for the Crosby defence. But a loose pass here, a knock on there thwarted many a promising attacking opportunity.

Eventually they did get it right and live wire centre Craig Procter bustled over to open Clitheroe’s account. A following penalty kick from the Skipper Nathan Peel put them ahead at the end of a fairly scrappy and turgid first period.

Some frank words at the interval seemed to refocus the team and paid dividends almost instantly. Some excellent approach work from the forwards created some space and front foot ball for the backs. When the ball moved down the line full back Chris Stewart [pictured] burst into the line and powered away for an excellent score. Peel on hand with the extras and Clitheroe were at last playing good football.

After quelling a minor fight back from the visitors, it was one way traffic from thereon. Chris Stewart grabbed another one, almost a carbon copy of the first, sprinting in from 50 metres out for his brace.

Then a few substitutions to re-energise the team, gave fresh impetus to proceedings.
Straight away two of the newbies linked well on the right wing. Miles Sharples made good ground before being stopped just short, but flank forward Richard Slinger was on hand to continue the move and crash over in the corner.

Then the Captain himself got in on the act, after Clitheroe, were by now firmly camped in the Crosby ‘red zone’. Loose ball and a disorganised defence are meat and drink to the chunky outside half, who showed a surprising turn of pace to nab a try on his birthday.

Almost as the referee was about to blow for ‘no side’ blond bombshell back row forward Sam Thornber carved his way through a tired defence to wrap up the scoring for the Maroon & Golds.

The proverbial game of two halves for Clitheroe , who are building nicely as the season progresses. Again there is plenty more to come, and they have shown glimpses of just how good they could be, in patches, of every game this season so far.
The trick is putting it all together in one 80 minute spell!

No home game at Littlemoor this Saturday. The 1st XV have a blank week, while the 2’s travel to Garstang. Supporters welcome.