Could do better

A significant number of spectators, on what was a cold and windy day, turned out in the hope of seeing a win for the Maroon & Golds. The team was as strong as has been put out all season so expectations within the team were high.

On their last outing way back before Christmas, the 1st XV took a beating at Windermere and although defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, Windermere were undoubtedly much better than Clitheroe in a number of key departments and more importantly, played well as a team. The North Manchester side that Clitheroe faced on Saturday have struggled somewhat with their consistency through the season so far and it was certainly a game that the coaching team targeted as a win. The trouble was that despite all the talk of beating the “lesser” teams in the league, Clitheroe failed in not only underestimating North Manchester’s resilience but also failed to front up on the day.

Within a few minutes of the kick-off it could quite clearly be seen that Clitheroe were intimidated by their opponents- they were no moving forward in defence and were coming second to the breakdown far too frequently. Only resolute defence, typified by the evergreen Ralph Rigby kept the visitors out for longer than 15 minutes. One brief positive within the opening exchanges was a searing break down the right by returning utility back Alec Hough. However, he couldn’t find his winger to hopefully finish off the move and things went from bad to worse when a penalty was awarded to the visitors for not releasing the ball. Some dissent meant Clitheroe were marched back another 20 metres and North Manchester were now pushing deep into Clitheroe territory. They tapped the penalty and drove forward and following a well worked lineout and effective work at the ruck, the visitors managed to crash over on the left. The conversion was slotted and Clitheroe were 7-0 down.

As usual, Clitheroe awoke from their seeming slumber and for the last 15 minutes of the first half, and in spite of being off their game defensively, Clitheroe looked quite dangerous in attack. Winger Greg Birch had the best run, again down the right wing and just as Hough had down before him, he cut in when perhaps a move or pass to the outside might have proved the better option.

Instructions were issued from Coach Harris during the break, mainly relating to the need to work harder in defence and to sort out the set-pieces and subsequently, Clitheroe started the 2nd half like they finished the 1st- with some gusto.

Following some good work by the forwards and with the backs setting Man of the Match Paul Callaghan free to run on numerous occasions, Clitheroe pushed towards the left hand corner where they won a line out. A brilliant move, created on the training pitch came to fruition when tight head prop Roger Carins took the ball from the soaring Rigby to crash over the line with ease. Martin Lafranceschina then stepped up to take the conversion from on the left touchline and into a stiff breeze. He struck it beautifully and the ball soared through the posts to tie the game up at 7-a-piece.

You might think that the ascendancy might be with the home side but you’d be wrong. Within only 5 minutes of Clitheroe scoring, North Manchester were back at them. An innocuous knock-on by the full back game North the field position they needed. A series of scrummages ensued and following a penalty when the home side were off-side, one of North Manchester’s sizeable forwards powered over the line. Once again, the kickers were on target and the score stood at 14-7 to North Manchester.

Clitheroe certainly weren’t done there and mounted a sustained attack for the last 5 minutes or so with their best chance being a blind-side move from the back of a scrum only 5 metres out. Unfortunately, winger Dan Smudge Smith, who has played most his games for Clitheroe at scrum half, was unable to take the final pass and the move was snuffed out.

There were certainly some positives to come out of this game. Number 8 Mark Curphy played with his usual potency carrying the ball well and doing his best behind what in the most part was a retreating scrum, Paul Callaghan underlined his continuing threat to any backline and Martin Yeoman exerted his presence well coming on as a sub for his 1st team debut at second row. More will be required to get the wins on the board and training over the next few weeks is critical to ensure that happens.

Next Saturday, Clitheroe 1sts welcome Blackpool back to Littlemoor for the first time in a few years whilst Garstang 3rds are also due to visit to play the Cavaliers. Kick off for both games are 14:15 unless otherwise stated in the website www.clitheroerugby.com