Sunday, 22 March 2009By Bob Wilkinson
Following last week’s home draw against Colne & Nelson, Clitheroe took to the road for the coach ride to Barrow-in-Furness where they hoped to get back to winning ways against Hawcoat Park. With a number of players injured in the previous week’s game, Clitheroe were forced into a significant reshuffle but hopes were still high of 2 points even though the hosts had shown improving results since they were turned over 30-0 at Littlemoor back in November.
With the sea mist hiding the Cumbrian sunshine and a stiff breeze blowing across the conditions were certainly not perfect but a firm, dry track might have made the numerous spectators think that an open game would ensue. As the scoreline suggests, this certainly wasn’t so.
From the off Clitheroe realised that the old-heads and more sizeable Hawcoat pack would be formidable. They played very much through their forwards and Clitheroe barely got their hands on the ball for the opening 10 minutes or so. With Hawcoat exerting pressure in Clitheroe’s 22 it seemed only a matter of time before they were to cross the whitewash. Clitheroe thought otherwise and after a relieving penalty against the home side, Clitheroe were able to show great pace, breaking out of their own half with centres Callaghan and Curphey and ably backed up by veteran back row McEntyre. Another penalty to Clitheroe for obstruction against second row Rigby gave Lafranseschina a great chance to give Clitheroe the lead, a chance he took with aplomb. So, against the run of play, Clitheroe were 3 points to the good.
Hawcoat hit back immediately and were once again driving into the Clitheroe half but luckily for the visitors they were unable to turn pressure into points. Clearing runs from Cowgill and Lafranceschina on separate occasions and exceptional tackling in midfield from Callaghan kept the slender lead intact. Callaghan was unlucky to be penalised when sticking in a fantastic tackle on his opposite number and managing to steal the ball- the referee simply thought his robust “stand up†tackling was too high and this certainly was not the case. Callaghan wasn’t phased and on 35 minutes broke through the Hawcoat back line once more, feeding the ball to winger Gretton, only to see the ball bundled away into touch. So, at half time the score stood at 3-0 to Clitheroe.
Hawcoat Park must have suffered “hair dryer†treatment from the coach at half time because once the whistle blew to start the second half they were quickly out of the blocks. Using their flawless lineout and effective mauling they drove the ball up field with vigour. Clitheroe were to give away a couple of penalties and following another excellent lineout and drive, Hawcoat Park crashed over the take the lead at 5-3. The Clitheroe players appealed that the ball was held up but the referee made his bold decision and that was that.
Lafranceschina executed a beautiful hanging kick off. This was snaffled up by Curphey and showing great determination he shrugged off the would-be tacklers with ease and sprinted towards the opposition try line only to be penalised for holding on. Clitheroe were definitely up for the contest at this point and a number of penalties were tapped by scrum half Smith quickly to try and catch Hawcoat off-guard. Unfortunately, the last pass just didn’t stick and pressure was relieved.
Perhaps the best chance of the second half once again fell to Callaghan when a bungled Hawcoat backs move saw the ball knocked to the floor. Callaghan chipped on a couple of times making up around 50 yards and outstripped the Hawcoat defence only to see the ball trickling over the dead ball line. Moments later, after shaking off the disappointment, Clitheroe were driving up the field and the visitors giving away penalties by the dozen. Scrum half Smith was again taking the quick penalties to keep the tempo up and recent recruit Chamberlain was showing up well as a forcible battering ram of a forward. Perhaps one of these penalties should have been directed given to Lafranceschina to give Clitheroe the chance to take the lead but in the heat of battle and with a strong wind blowing into the face the decisions to take it quickly can’t really be faulted.
Hawcoat had the best of the closing exchanges and managed to close the game out well. Their forwards had been immense and despite all Clitheroe’s endeavours they possibly deserved to take the spoils, but only marginally.
Next week Clitheroe host league leaders Hutton in what should be a very entertaining game, KO 15:00. With only 3 games left, Clitheroe must win at least 2 to salvage some mid-table respectability, a feat certainly not out of the question for this valiant side.
