Clitheroe make hard work of dispatching a spirited Carnforth side

After all the weather interruptions Clitheroe played only their 5th match in 3 months at home to Carnforth. After winning the away fixture and with Carnforth having a tough time in the league this year, casual observers could be forgiven for thinking this would be an assured home win. However, with some absentees from the regular squad including Skipper Ben Graves & Richard Edmondson and the battling qualities of Carnforth, those who took to the pitch knew this would be a tight encounter.

Matt Bartle led the team out and elected to play with the wind in the first half. The re-shaped pack with Lewis Riley playing on the blindside, human hulk Rigby returned to his rightful place in the second row and a deserved start for Aaron Atkinson were evenly matched with their Carnforth counterparts in the opening exchanges with Carnforth putting the Maroon & Gold line under threat. However, some good kicking from the back line put the forwards into the opposing 22 metre area and after a series of driving rucks the line beckoned. Carins skilful hands allowed him to slip it to Aaron Atkinson who took it well to touchdown. Lafranceschina converted and the home team were ahead 7 – 0.

From the re-start the Carnforth pack charged in to create some good pressure and after several penalties were awarded, the Carnforth 10 slotted one in front of the posts to gain some reward for their pressure. 7 – 3.

This gave Carnforth renewed vigour and further pressure saw the Clitheroe back line penalised for offside with the resulting penalty converted the score moved on to 7 – 6. The re-start enabled Clitheroe to get into the opposing half and after some forward drives it was spun out to the backs through Watson at scrum half and after some switching of direction the Carnforth tacklers hauled down Greg Birch on the wing and put him into touch.

The lineout was an issue all day for the Maroon & Golds with hooker Penney searching for height that he just doesn’t have, although he redeemed himself admirably in the scrum with several takes against the head. With Carnforth also struggling, the lineout became somewhat of a lottery. The visitors took this one and they pushed the ball out into the centres, good tackling from Callaghan set up the ruck and with the Carnforth players being judged to be killing the ball by diving over it another penalty was awarded. Lafranceschina took the points again and the half time whilst followed shortly after with the score at 10 – 6.

At the break, Lewis Riley made way for Ross Chamberlain on the blindside flank and Clitheroe were playing into the wind. Stern words from stand in captain Bartle pointed out that Clitheroe needed to pick up the pace but try to be less frenetic. They started well and about 10 minutes into the half the forwards drive the ball through successive rucks to inch closer to the line. With the backs now calling for the ball, Carins had other ideas and barrelled over in the corner from close range. The conversion was missed, but Clitheroe’s lead increased to 15 – 6.

This spurned Carnforth into attack, after a period of picking and driving from the base of the ruck they spun the ball out to the backs. With the stand-off acting as a pivot he gave a reverse pass to the centre who cut back inside for the score which was deserved for the effort Carnforth put into the game. The try was converted and suddenly the score was at 15 – 13 and the game was tantalisingly balanced.

The Maroon & Golds rallied again and gained a penalty just inside the Carnforth 22, Lafranceschina missed – but had another chance some 5 minutes later which he took. With the score line at 18 – 13 and 20 minutes to play Aaron Atkinson made way for the ever youthful Harry Proctor in the front row and Greg Birch coming off for powerhouse Kieron Keough.

There followed a nervous passage of play for the home team as Carnforth tried to pin them down in their own half through the boot and Clitheroe defending to hold their slim lead. A high kick was taken by full-back Alex Hough who charged back with the ball and with support was held on the 22. At the resulting scrum hooker Penney took another ball against the head with the help of the pack. Number 8 Oliver McEntyre picked up, broke the gain line and got the ball out to Bartle who took it on for a few strides before timing his pass well to Callaghan who went in near the corner. The conversion was taken and Clitheroe were 10 points ahead 23 – 13.

The final minutes were played out and the whistle went. A pleasing victory, but some areas to improve on are discipline at the breakdown and retention of the ball in the tackle. These areas need to be improved for the visit to a resurgent Hawcoat Park in two weeks.