Clitheroe do the Double

Clitheroe’s rugby men did the ‘double,’ and earned themselves a well deserved bonus point in the process, over a hard working Crosby St Marys XV on Saturday.

Crosby have transferred their operations just a quarter of a mile from their old ground as the crow flies. But this didn’t fail to confuse most of the squad, who somehow spent some time at the train station - gathering some loco numbers for their notebooks no doubt.

However when everyone turned up they were well pleased to be playing away. The lovely firm grassed playing surface was a treat for the feet; and although the pitch was a bit narrow, it certainly suited Clitheroe’s all action game plan.

The Maroons notched up four well worked tries, bookended by a brace from hirsute wing man Joe Smith.(pic)

The front row problems continue at Littlemoor as they have all season. With Tom Hardman still injured, veteran John Procter on the sick list and Ben Graves on honeymoon [!], resources were thin. Fortunately utility forward Ross Chamberlain manfully stepped into the breech at tight head and it was fingers crossed that there wasn’t any need for a replacement.

In the home fixture earlier in the season Clitheroe had been comfortable victors but they had seen enough of Crosby’s potential to be on their guard and to avoid a long painful journey back up the M6.

The visitors started brightly, keeping the ball in hand well and soon Joe Smith was causing problems probing down the right wing. It was no real surprise after some neat inter passing he was over the whitewash to open Clitheroe’s account. Captain Nathan Peel was on hand with the extras.

It took some time for the next try to arrive, but in the mean time Peel had slotted over a couple more penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over nicely.

In fact it was the home side that scored the next try after Clitheroe were guilty of a series of schoolboy errors at the breakdown.
As the half drew to a close Clitheroe camped in the home ‘22’ and after squandering a few chances managed to bundle No8 James ‘Taffy’ Haynes over for a try. Peel maintaining his excellent kicking by slotting the conversion.

Without really hitting top gear, Clitheroe were 5-20 up at the turn round and there was a feeling that there was much more to come.

They fulfilled that promise to a certain extent during the second half.

Peel again kicked things off in style with another perfect penalty. But the game then deteriorated into a scrappy affair. In the strong gusty conditions the lineout, usually a profitable source of ball, was a lottery and at the set scrums Clitheroe were hampered by an enthusiastic but ‘scratch’ front five who found it hard to gel as a unit.
In open play, conversely, Clitheroe were in good form. Nat Dickenson at flanker making his 1st XV debut had a fine game alongside Andrew Rigby, who watched over him like a paternal grandfather.
Lewis Hardman also showed up well in the second row along side the ever vocal Jake Procter. One must wonder if he will get or be allowed back into the three quarters.

The back line was slightly re-jigged from the previous week, with Marco Vaghetti taking on outside half duties and Captain Peel swapping with him to inside centre. A promising start to a new arrangement and adds extra flexibility to the squad.

It took to the hour mark before Clitheroe crossed again; full back Greg Birch came looking for work into the line and some neat handling saw him over in the corner.

Then as the clock began to wind down, Crosby launched one last foray into the Clitheroe half. But gleefully for the visitors and interception by Vaghetti inside his own 22 saw him scuttling off up the pitch with a long way to go. As he began to tread water he was relieved to find Smith on his elbow to take the ball on and round off the scoring in some style.

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Clitheroe 2nd XV match v Garstang was abandoned before kick as the referee deemed the pitch unplayable. Re arranged date will be announced shortly.