After last weeks goings on - 15 were found, stolen , acquired - and with the heavyweight Richard Murray making an 11th hour decision to appear - wow - 16 players to start the Home campaign.

The maroons chose to start at the bottom of the slope. With the kick off from, prop last week to centre and kicking maestro this, Jamie Taylor complete with his new long flowing locks stepped up to the plate.
The pack a solid sturdy looking outfit would be send shivers down the backs of most opposition. 1-8 powerhouses strong and reliable in multiple configurations with Tom Hardman adding the youthful zip to the bunch,John Pundy Proctor adding his guile and cunning in the master of the dark arts that is the front row, Rick Edmondson had himself a comfy perch at hooker. The power of the veteran big Geoff Williamson was alongside the bulk of the skipper in the second row. Which left a back row, which some might say, if you tilted your head and squinted ever so slightly through the bottom of an empty beer glass, looked fleet of foot highly mobile and youthful. The genteel Pete 'fair play'Farnsworth at 8; having more hair on his face than of flankers Andrew Thornber and Andrew Rigby had collectively on their heads.

The maroons putting the might of the pack into proceedings early on were being as disruptive as could get away with,but the Vandals pack also had some cunning experience. It seemed the breakdowns were going to be a tough contest.
Good phases were being played, and young Ben Lancaster at 9 had a stormer of a game. Behind the pack Dave Watson at 10 was dishing out the instructions and was ably feeding the ball to the impromptu centre partnership of Jamie Taylor and Caleb Brown both making great runs and tackling like machines .
But after fifteen mins a missed tackle saw Fylde unleash their young flanker - who seamed to hand off chairman Bob [joining us in a training window for his 50 mile ultra iron man triathlon thingy] and go through Martin Teflon O'Connor at full back to score to the right of the posts. The extras added, with a bit of luck the restart ended in touch.
Now to test the line out: up went the ancient specimin Rigby ,like an old ewe coming up for air from the bottom of the sheep dip; ball won & maul set - time for a little walk. The ball went nicely going down the line before an interception. As the other Fylde flanker pinned back his ears and went for broke, young Lancaster had other ideas. The ref on the spot with his decision - ' held up' - an outstanding bit of cover from the young lad.

The maroons looked to be holding there own but some silky hands from Fylde saw them with the over lap and them to score again, no extras added.

From the restart the big lads rumbled and shuffled up the pitch one foot at a time phases building. Watson sold the dummy, Taylor ran the line inside. popped to O'Connor then outside to Austin Wensley . As he thundered towards hellfire corner, a ruck formed as did some handbags. A wonky nose and a whole heap of the red stuff later ,saw 'fair play' Farnsworth being shown the red card and scuttling off like a naughty schoolboy. So down to fourteen for the next 50 mins.
Adversity makes you stronger so they say - and so would appear. The seven forwards played like 9 and didn't loose a scrum for the rest of the game.

They attacked again - the ball came out to Brown and then Lancaster taking it in. Onwards through Watson to Thornber who made some yards. Quick ball to Rigby, who seemed uncatchable , a shuffle back the other way from Hardman, another from the skipper, then old fox Watson saw the overlap wide to chairman Bob. He drew the winger like a pro, popped to O'Connor who darted his way round the full back touching down by the upright. Taylor added the extras. Within 5 mins, however, Fylde had added another of there own and extras.

After the half time water break , the maroons were attacking down the slope. Every man, boy and granddad giving his all. With ball in hand the maroons looked dangerous winning breakdowns and scrums and profitable in winning line outs. But were not able to capitalise.
A break away run saw Fylde, against play, open the scoring. But the maroons do not give up; and the bigger lads made the yards with impeccable work rate, but relying on the younger lads a little to much for the rucking.
On came Murray for Hardman, bringing his own brand of disruption to proceedings.
After what seamed like the hundredth scrum Watson unleashed Lancaster and Brown , who linked beautifully drawing and splitting the defence with ease, for Lancaster to score down the left. No extras.
Time was to be Clitheroe's main undoing, as all tired, battered, bruised and fading were to let Fylde slip past a final time.
With five mins left Hardman returned for the spent Proctor.
The whistle couldn't come early enough for the 2s . 50 mins with a man down is a tough challenge. But every man gave it his all & nothing was left in the tank.
The spirit within this side is unbreakable.
Final score 43-12 to the visitors but by far man of the match our very own Ben Lancaster.
The maroons march on away at Littlebrough next week.

Report by KK