Rusty 2's overcome by well oiled Hoppers

Having not played since November the mighty 2s were keen an eager for a game, and with the Christmas hold behind us a good squad was assembled to face local rivals Preston Grasshoppers.
Not to say that the Christmas festivities had been good but as the Clitheroe pack all did their obligatory single stretch - a powerful sight it was to behold.
After the shock of the skipper actually winning the toss the maroons opted to start at the bottom of the slope with the sun to their backs. With both sides building it was clear a close game was going to give the massed support some thing to enjoy.
But it was Hoppers broke the deadlock first on 12 mins with a strong try. No extras added.
The maroons response was swift; and after some strong runs and carries from the maroon pack Sam 'the Rev' Cheesman gifted a pass to the stand in stand off of Sam White [pic]. He then had a step and a fend, before off loading to the young Matt Mason, who rounded two tackles to score his first senior try. With Matt Probert pulling up in the warm up, kicking duties were given to Mitchell Jones - but sadly no extras added.
What followed was just some good play by Hoppers - seeing them run in 3 more tries in twenty mins. So at 35 mins on the clock and the maroons down 20-5. A few strong words were issued under the posts. This saw the pack come out firing. Jaime Taylor causing mischief at the restart followed by couple big carries from Tom Whittaker and Henry Reynard. A miss pass from White saw Mason sprint under the posts for his second, with Jones (the smaller) adding the extras.
With the restart cleanly taken the pack again started to get into their groove. Will Jones (the larger) stepped in to cover at 9, he gave little pop to Sam White who made short work of the half a pitch to touch down his first of the day. No extras heading to the half time break.
The skipper went off for a lie down (I'm 40 now you know...) replaced by big Aussie Dan Jones (the taller) as the only change.
The second half, started as the first ended - the pack working strong, doing the phases. The back three of; Winstanley, Harrison on the wings and Wensley at full back shoring up the defence, worked hard.
After only two phases the maroons were inside hoppers 22. A penalty awarded - and with a quick tap it was Tom Whittaker on another bullocking charge, saw him smash the line to tally up another try for the young prop. MJ again added the extras.
Time for a couple more changes Tubber Thornber (the balder), Will Jones, Henry Reynard and Richard Nobbs Thornber (the lesser) off for a breather. Chomping at the bit came Pete Wombat Mitchell , Ginge Rick Eddo and big bad Geoff Williamson (I'm drawing my pension next year you know....)
With the score still close it was the maroons to score first. A bit of class from Sam White who went on a solo charge to find him picking up his second of the day. Mitchell adding extras, taking the score 29-24 in the home teams favour.(us!)
But with twenty mins to go the home team took their foot off the gas slightly, and within minutes Hoppers struck back not once, but twice. Both with extras, with the home team starting to tire.
So the skipper returned to the fray and was immediately causing a nuisance at the line out, somehow finding himself in the middle ripping the ball and winning the penalty. Some good phases followed; with Whittaker, White and Mason making some blistering runs, but the Hoppers defence held firm Even winning them the turnover leading to the first of two soft tries as the clock went red.
Final score 48-29 to Grasshoppers. But a score that doesn't do justice to the game. Which was end to end stuff , with the only downfall perhaps a little ring rust at the death from the maroons.
Plenty of heart grit and tenacity to keep at it a good all round team effort.
Man of the match for opening up his try scoring account Matt Mason.
Next week sees the twos on the road to vale of lune.

Report by KK
Edited, with the aid of drink, by Our Special Correspondent