What a match to end a tremendous season of achievement by Clitheroe's cavaliers. At the start of the season Kirky set one goal, to play with a smile but to always play.

Not as easy as it sounds in a season where there have been a whole host of crazy factors at work. To achieve a top four finish when promotion was the last thing that was required (without concedes) is a magnificent achievement of which Captain Kirk and his motley crew should be proud.

The game itself was exciting, spirited and fun. The tight five worked hard in the scrum and showed up surprisingly well in the line out with even a four ball being thrown (albeit I didn't throw all of them straight). The untimely exit of smithy after a strong 20 minute cameo didn't interfere to much with the forward platform. Which was largely solid.

The backs did what backs do dropped the ball in the most frustrating of ways leading to Garstang scoring, not once but twice, against the run of play (to be fair to the backs both finishes were exceptionally good from Garstang and came from the smallest of mistakes) but then just as hope was fading the backs as backs do demonstrated an incredible ability to jink, weave and scurry forwards.

Matt Probarts first try was spectacular. A dominant tight five gave a good scrum platform for John Bank to throw a shimmy Nick Good to show just how Good his support was to remover the Garstang back row and 10 from the line to let Matt Probart jink his way passed the stretched cover and then smile at me (would've rather he passed but hey) as he went over.

In the second half Rick Few (aka thin Penny) saw a hole in the Garstang cover defence and pounced to pull clitheroe back into the match.

Then the Thornbers combined with Michael, Richard and Henry (with the spirit of Andrew in there somewhere) all involved in the build up to Nobs' try no try drama luckily the ref was too busy brushing his hair to really care whether it was grounded and despite Garstang desperately asking Nobs to be honest with himself rather than claim the try the try was awarded.

It was not all champagne rugby for the cavaliers whilst the tight five continued to grind away at the set piece the backs created plenty of chances Matt (would be in the first team if the first team came to watch the second team) Mason glided through the Garstang three quarters off first phase possession on a number of occasions but the cavaliers couldn't quite capitalise. Nobs decided to tests Forest's hands on a couple of occasions and to the crowd's delight Forest invented new and wonderful ways where he would nearly catch the uncatchable passes only to drop them and when he was finally put away sadly the pass was more forward than Murray in Rios after a pint of gin.

Fewey sorry thin Penny scored the killer blow from a breakdown, stepped the flanker then gassed the 54 Yr old 24 stone second row who was 'guarding the fringes' a classy finish the gloss from which was immediately removed the spectators celebrated Penny's try.

Garstang were no push over and worked hard throughout they fought back and earned themselves a consolation try but the points went to the Cavaliers a fitting end to a great season.

This was a game where the hard work of the tight five, gave the back row a platform to work from and boy did the back row work Nick Good justifying his man of the match performance with a number of sublime touches, tremendous work ethic and one magnificent take of an up and under that any full back would have proud of, only just edging , out Rob Lee who considering he looks 12 and weighs at best 8 stone was superb with his all round contribution. A special mention to John Bank who's dart from number 8 in the first half riding the tackle of openside and eight created the space for Probart to score demonstrated the class of a player who's experience and crazy knee warm up ritual will be sadly missed as he has put himself out to pasture. Luckily his son Jonny is going to sign up if the rumours (which I just started) are true

The backs were the pantomime villains turned heroes, Sam Cheeseman grew into the game from Nine, Probart showed some lovely touches, Thin Penny and Matt Mason were a constant threat Grets (pre trademark head injury and comedy bandaging) Forest and the Thornbers provided much entertainment and enthusiasm in the three quarters.

The subs were as important as ever big Geoff pushed hard, matt mitchel was a nuisance both playing for Garstang and against them Adam Penny (aka Fat Fewy) showed up well and kept talking througout.
Austin Wensley continued his tremendous season wihh an appearance from the bench whilst Grets was beimg, patched up, Austin has been a great contributor to the twos this season and Saturday was no different.

The true heroes, as always, were in the tight five driven on by captain kirk and super Dan Jones in the second row along with a strong showing from Tom Carlton Whitaker both in the loose and set piece and comedy cameo from Smithy with plenty of heart on display and a final chance for me to show that after 29 years of playing this game (19 of them as a senior at clitheroe) I still can't decide whether I'm worst at loose head, hooker or tight head despite trying all three this week.

Thanks to all for a great season. WJ