Last Gasp Win has Crowd Gasping

So it was off to Lancaster for the 2's, and Powderhouse Lane the destination - HQ of the mighty Vale of Lune RFC. Even better we had the big main pitch to play on. The scene of loads of Lancashire county games, and many a legend had graced the turf on the wide open acres.
The current leg-ends clad in the, famous the world over,(or in the Ribble Valley) maroon and gold were the latest to give the sizable crowd a treat. In a stunning exhibition of rugby from both sides; some would say it left the 1973 Barbarians v New Zealand game looking like a game of touch and pass in the park.
Who are we to disagree?
Regular Skipper Captain Kirk was laid low with some unmentionable ailment more commonly only seen in the ovine species. We'll draw a veil over that, only to say the RSPCA & Sheep Protection League are investigating. Former player Ralph Rigby has offered his full co-operation to proceedings.
In his absence the captain's armband was passed to Matt, 'formerly known as Stick-Boy,' Bleasdale . We say formally, as he seems to have done well over the last year or two, especially and coincidentally after shacking up with the Entourage. A 'good doer' he would be know as in farming circles.
Anyway to the match; a youthful looking side was on show with a raft of recent former Colts in the line up. Jack Stanley squeezed into the No.9 shirt and the centres of Oscar 'the hammer' Duck and even younger starlet Matt Mason looked speedy. The more mature men were on the wings; Phil Forest Winstanley and Sam White brought the average age back up in the threequarters. Seamlessly and sometimes confusingly rotating with these lads were Josh Dolan - sometimes wing, sometimes full back, never quite sure. Plus Jack Spider Nadin cropped up here and there, that is when he wasn't limping around like a lame carthorse.
Up front, at times, it was no less puzzling; the stocky Harry Barrett and will o' the wisp Joe Aspin were in the back row with Tim Douglas [splendid facial hair] and Callum [Nathan Peel's (only) mate] all mixing and matching. The front five were made up of more solid citizens; Sam Barr and Nick Good locked the scrum. Adam Penny kept a non stop commentary going with Tom Walton and Adam Wood adding their not inconsiderable bulk to the cause.
Operations were directed and controlled from the sidelines by Jake Foghorn Procter. His mellifluous baritone echoing pleasantly around the ground as he barked out instructions. If you just half closed your eyes , it was reminiscent of an Italian operetta on a warm summer evening.....
Your correspondent and Director of Rugby, only just arrived for kick off, so luckily missed the intricate warm up. So straight into action as Clitheroe attacked the Clubhouse end.
Soon they made good ground and were awarded a penalty within range. Up strode the disco king Stanley, and with a heave of the right leg the ball limped over the crossbar to put the visitors ahead.
Soon however a setback as Barret was shown the yellow and Clitheroe were down to 14 men. Vale took full advantage and took a strong foothold in Citheroe territory. Then then bundled over for a try [5-3]
Tails up - Vale piled on the pressure .Some tremendous scramble defence kept the tide at bay until Clitheroe managed to move out of danger. Then out of nothing Sam White sliced through, pin balled off a couple of would be tacklers for a an excellent try.
Vale struck back almost immediately with another try to put them ahead 10-8 at the half time lemons.
The second stanza was a thing of beauty. One for the rugby purists. Whereas both teams could have scored several more tries apiece - strong defence coupled with the last pass not going to hand. [or forward] stymied any chance of further points. From Clitheroe's point of view a little more wider game may have paid dividends, as they occasionally wasted potential overlaps.
But as the clock wound down, slowly, very slowly, Clitheroe pressed for the score. Several players went close and then a last gasp chip for the far corner had the crowd on their feet craning for a better view . A preplanned move? A sliced drop goal attempt? Who knows........?
The whistle went [again], referee's arm aloft . What has happened?
It was only the man with red hat Josh Dolan [pictured - without hat] who had pounced at the death to secure a breathless win for the Littlemoor outfit.
The referee blew his overworked whistle for one last time and the points were in the bag.
Credit to all the players out there for putting on an entertaining show - one that could have literally gone either way.
Home game this week against one of Preston GH many teams.