Great competitive game sees Clitheroe lose out

Clitheroe made the short trip over the hill to Colne in the third league fixture of the season. Having struggled to find any kind of consistent form in their previous two games and depleted by recent injuries to squad members, the town team took on a Colne & Nelson side also without a win from two games played. These fixtures are always played with a great degree of conviction and this game certainly lived up to expectation!

Up on the hill, the wind was blowing and the rain slashing down but the pitch was firm and both teams appeared ready to take on their opponents. Changes from the previous game meant that, Roger Carins started at tight head with Captain Graves moving over the loose head. Also, the small in stature but big in brawn Adam Penney stepped into the hooking spot, usual hooker Rick Edmondson dropped back into the second row and Chairman Thornber came into the back row as an emergency replacement and made his voice heard from the off.

C&N kicked off into the wind and after a fine take, Clitheroe started very confidently setting up ruck and maul efficiently and effectively. This took them up field and although not coming away with points straight away they were exerting the kind of pressure that’s been required in training. The choices on where to go dependent upon the speed of the ball coming from the breakdown were seeming to be right and subsequently yardage was consistently made. A kickable penalty within the first 5 minutes went just wide from full back Lafranceschina but Clitheroe were really showing what they could do. The hosts eventually managed to get somewhat of a foothold in the game through the clever kicking of their astute full back but also because of the referee’s intervention in penalising Clitheroe too many times for off-side offences. At one point they were held up over the line as the Maroon & Gold defence stood firm.

Using the elements to their advantage Clitheroe once again pegged C&N back deep into their own half and with forceful breaks from centres Bartle and Callaghan they looked menacing. The first points came on 15 minutes when Callaghan took a quick ball and produced a David Duckham-like mesmeric run to confuse the C&N defence and score under the sticks. Lafranceschina converted to make the scoreline 7-0 to the visitors on the 20 minute mark. Clitheroe did go off the boil a little through the rest of the half but sparked up a bit towards the end and were pressuring the C&N line as the referee blew his half-time whistle.

So, with the weather worsening Clitheroe were leading and I don’t think that anyone watching would say they didn’t deserved their lead. Unfortunately, Clitheroe haven’t learned that imposing themselves at the start of the second half is crucial, especially when protecting a lead. Sloppy organisation and defending gave C&N the initiative and they powered down the field, scoring through their backs in the right hand corner. The conversion was missed. Worse was to happen shortly afterwards when the curse of injury struck hard. First, fly half Dave Watson, who up to this point had controlled the game well was cut down by a nasty looking injury to his calf. He wasn’t able to hobble off the field very well never mind play on. Back row Mark Curphy was pushed into the centres, sub Lewis came onto the blindside to make his debut and Callaghan moved to fly half.

Although the plan to run off Callaghan was a sound one, Clitheroe somehow lost their way and facing both the wind and the accurate kicking boots of the C&N backs they were under the cosh. Two penalties were gifted to C&N in a short space of time, one for coming round and the other for handling in the ruck. The score was now 11-7 in C&N’s favour and the game was ebbing away from Clitheroe’s grasp. However, the Maroon s were not done just yet and a series of great runs from Carins and the Clitheroe backs got them into the opposition 22. Good set ball gave the platform for the ball to be flung wide to the right and Curphey plunged over for an unconverted try to give Clitheroe the lead at 12-11. This created a frenetic last 15 minutes or so.

Then, a second fly half was to suffer an injury, this one more serious when Callaghan had a clash of heads, coming away with a nasty 3 inch gash on the top of his head and forcing him to leave the field immediately. It turns out he also suffered a small fracture and will be out for some considerable time, adding to Clitheroe lengthening injury list. Second row Wilkinson was next one out when a knee to the side of the head. Clitheroe were in dire straits and could only watch as C&N forced themselves down field and towards the posts. A series of drives eventually took their toll and a penalty was conceded only 10 yards out and slightly to the right of the posts. The C&N full back, who had kicked well all game slotted the penalty to make it 14-12 and the game was all over.

There were more positives than in any match so far this season. Clitheroe played with more organisation, appeared much more hungry for the win and showed that they can and will compete with any side in this league. Injuries can be no excuse but definitely didn’t help their cause as the game unfolded. Man of the match was close once more but goes to prop Carins who carried the ball with gusto, created havoc in attack and didn’t take a backward step all day. Hooker Penney and the injured Callaghan also deserve praise for getting stuck in.

Clitheroe now lie 8th in the league but will undoubtedly regroup this week and will be looking forward to meeting old foes Blackpool away next Saturday.