A Tale of Two Halves

An ultimately disappointing final result in the the last game of the year at a packed Silcock Park last Saturday.

Promotion favourites Wigan came calling complete with a large entourage here to spoil the Clitheroe Christmas party whilst bolstering their own prospects of a return to Division 2 at the first time of asking.

The town team looked well set with DoR David Watson able to pick a competitive looking side in spite of a raft of injuries and work etc call ups.
Up front the Pete Mitchell made a rarish start in the front row, and the return of Oscar Duck from a year Down Under was a welcome sight in the back row alongside his ex Colt team mate Joe Wilkinson.
A late reshuffle in the back line brought James Cathcart into out half after Rick Griffiths had not recovered from a training ground back spasm. This gave the opportunity for Chris Stewart to make his first start of the season on the wing.

Playing towards the clubhouse end on what was for the time of year - a bowling green of pitch - Clitheroe started brightly and with Mitchell, Tom Walton and Wayne Tierney prominent, drove up field with aplomb. A line out from close in was secured and driven , sucking the loose defenders in and it was a peel off the narrow side for Ed Sinclair [pic] to power over for a well worked try. No extras.
Wigan came back strongly but Clitheroe were up to the task in defence but just showed a few tiny signs of inaccuracy that put unnecessary pressure on themselves.; a missed touch here, a knock on there. Or from a line out overthrow that was not gathered in midfield, Wigan scooped up gleefully and from nothing the winger was over for a converted try.
Clitheroe pressed again and looked strong. A penalty kick under the sticks was spurned for a tap that came to nought and the visitors went into the break 5-7 ahead.

Wigan started the second period rejuvenated and immediately forced a line out on Clitheroe's line. The maroons appeared to almost steal it but in the confusion Wigan ponced to score in the corner. No extras (5-12).
Creditably Clitheroe came charging back into opposition territory and after a series of scrums , a neat bit of support play on the blind side saw Joe Wilkinson burrow over. No extras but anybody's game at 10-12.
However for the home support that was as good as it got on the scoreboard as Wigan seized control with the visitors fly half giving a masterclass in territorial play. Three more unanswered tries was the result as Clitheroe tired under the late onslaught.
Fair play to the pie eaters who came back strongly. For Clitheroe, they can look at a good general improvement over the last two games but not quite hitting their straps. Still too many unforced errors leading to them unable to force enough scoreboard pressure. But the trajectory is going in the right direction; but needs to -with January looking like a particularly intense month - Orrell, Garstang, Burnley and Thornton on consecutive weekends will need all hands on deck.
Enjoy but don't overdo the turkey and Christmas pudding!

Some top photos on Wigan RUFC's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553439433705