Saturday mid morning and two of the 1sts squad have decided a trip to Manchester is not for them. (very poor, lads). Cue the Supremo going into overdrive – calling in favours and friends of friends.

Alas by the time the squad had arrived at a damp Hoppers, the team were somehow down to a bare 14.

No worries for the 2's. A pretty solid bunch; even with one man short.

Matt Bleasedale, was given the Captain's armband for the day – a move appreciated by his regular touch line entourage.
Careful scrutiny of the hosts replacement bench was in order. As this has been a well known movable feast in previous encounters. Especially with two other games on adjacent pitches; the Supremo made sure we weren't caught out again.

A maroon and gold seven man pack full of brim and bristle, all ready to lay a path for the exciting back division;
The exciting looking back three - of Austin 'Power' Wensley, Phil 'Forrest' Winstanley and Martin 'Teflon' O'Connor – oozed danger. Quite who for, was another question.
In midfield the Skipper partnered up with our new man, Tuggy; A secret weapon the Supremo had collared at work. [well in Dave].
The half back combo of the Supremo himself, and live wire Connor White looked like they could be the key to the game for Clitheroe.
Not that we were depending on some magic from Connor at all. Well we were; and when after 10 mins he limped off with a nasty hamstring pull, the job was suddenly looking that bit tougher.

Down to 13. Unlucky number? Not a bit of it. The sleeves , if we weren't wearing short sleeves already, were rolled up and pretty decent game of rugby broke out.

So much so that by half time the visitors were only 3-0 down.

The magnificent seven man pack were doing wonders in the set piece and competing well in the loose.

The youngsters of Tom Hardman, fresh from an overnight trainspotting visit at Leeds railway station, and expectant dad to be Jamie Taylor , had storming games.
Hardman looking a bit green about the gills after a traumatic journey to Preston, soon got stuck in and gelled well with his front row buddies.
Young Taylor , forgoing his headscarf, for scrum cap to keep the flowing locks in place also was effective in a loose second/back row roving role.
The rest of the pack were effective enough , in spite of their advanced years. Forty somethings Andrew 'Tubber' Thornber had a great game at hooker and John 'Stoneface' Bank at No 8 was doing the work of three men. Fifty somethings Andrew 'Ralph' Rigby, John 'Pundy' Procter and Roger Holmes brought along the rear adding a bit of weight and enthusiasm in spite of their patent lack of experience.

With the rain unceasing throughout the game, both sides put in some good play and Hoppers extra men told in the end. But by gum, they had to work for it.

Two players down and a pack of old farts in maroon and gold – you would never have known it.

Scrums and line outs secure, some great play in the centres from Tuggy and the Skip.

Brave, brave defence out wide and against the Hoppers supertankers up front - and overall excellent team spirit with great dark humour.
Even when a two Clitheroe lads went down injured with similar symptoms ; their team mates still had a ball. At their expense.

So Hoppers sneaked it in the end. But with a full 15 it would definitely be a different story.

Great entertainment, in a strange masochistic way. Better than Saturday shopping. Isn't it?

Thanks to the travelling support who braved the weather.

Come and join us for more fun and games next week..

**thanks for the damp pics from 'The Entourage' xx