So it was off to the seaside on Saturday for the maroon and golds, or fairly near to the water, in fact you could almost smell the briny sea air wafting on he breeze, or was it Physio Kate's secret muscle pick me up liniment rub or maybe it was it the Chairman's new aftershave.

Table toppers and promotion favourites Thornton Cleveleys lay in wait for Clitheroe’s intrepid traveling squad. With the usual selection juggles, so common at this level of grass roots rugby; injuries, work commitments, skiing in the Alps etc etc – Head honcho of ruggers Dave Watson had still been able to assemble a decent looking team to face the enemy.
A rare start at out half for the still boyish looking veteran Will Tattersall, with the young tyro Jack Stanno Stanley slotting in at scrum half. Returning from injury Jake Best was at blindside flank accompanying equally youthful Joe Wilkinson at open side. In all eight of the starting XV are products of the Clitheroe juniors/colts set up – a fantastic achievement and long may it continue.

Weather conditions were good for open rugby – dry and cool, unfortunately the pitch was a bit sticky and didn’t improve. In fact some areas resembled the consistency of a sago pudding – it would definitely favour the heavier outfit.

Clitheroe were fast out of the blocks and raced to a 0-3 lead when Stanley slotted a penalty after only seven minutes. Thereafter it was nip and tuck for a while but Thornton worked themselves into the game. Clitheroe were defending manfully, but clearance kicks not finding touch kept putting themselves under pressure. All was well until about 20 minutes in, that was until the home team hit a purple patch and ran in four tries which effectively killed off the game.
Worse was to come with Stanley limping off after another particularly robust clearout at ruck time. A reshuffle was on the cards as Aaordan Hardman came on for his 1st XV debut and Sam ‘I've never played 9 before’ White moved to scrum half.

Half time and 24-7 adrift, the home support possibly expected a cricket score, not an England cricket score but high double figures nevertheless.

Clitheroe were having none of it, and the sleeves were metaphorically rolled up for the task in hand.
With the breeze at their backs they attacked with gusto, zing and pizzazz. Senior men like Tom Walton, Ed Sinclair, Wayne Tierney and skipper Nick Roberts were inspirational in taking on the opposition at every and any opportunity.
A lengthy siege on the Thornton try line led to a series of penalties. The maroons kept battering away and eventually Joe Wilkinson found a hole to insert himself under a pile of bodies, for a well deserved try.
The difficult conversion just missed but Clitheroe buoyed up. The spirits were only slightly dampened when Thornton crossed for one of their own on the hour mark.
No more scores in the game was credit to Clitheroe’s indefatigable attitude. A top team performance from all the squad; Connor Fletcher looked dangerous counter attacking and although up against some big specimens Josh Dolan and Matty Mason were solid on the wings. Up front the reliable Josh Burns and Wombat Mitchell were...well ...reliable. And Oscar Duck, slightly playing out of position at lock, had an industrious afternoon. Hardman came on and didn't look out of place and there was just time for a late cameo from Ben Wheale – enough to muddy his shorts.

A strong performance against a large, well drilled, very abrasive Thornton outfit who had obviously been scoffing the entire quota of steaks in the Flyde coast area and were deserving of the win and their place at the top of the division.

This Saturday the 1st XV host Dukinfield RFC at Silcock Park. 2.15pm