Hutton way too good

Hutton came to Clitheroe last Saturday and showed just why they’re way ahead in the league. To be honest Clitheroe were up against it before a ball had even been kicked due to injuries to significant players, a general lack of training time and most annoyingly, some unexpected absences late in the day. This meant that Clitheroe had to rely on players not normally used to facing such quality opposition (although that could perhaps be said for the vast majority!) and were ultimately, not properly prepared. Don’t get me wrong though, some of these non-regulars as well as a number of the old guard really gave their all and should be given massive credit.

To the game itself. Clitheroe actually were ahead when after 2 minutes Hutton infringed at the breakdown. Returning fly half Declan Fitzhenry stepped up and coolly thwacked the ball over from 34 yards. Hutton then got hold of the ball and immediately showed their intent with backs and forwards interpassing and backing each other up all over the pitch. Only 5 minutes after Clitheroe had taken the lead they had scored 2 fabulous tries. Apart from another Fitzhenry penalty on the 10 minute mark that took the score to 6-10, Clitheroe had very little to cheer until the final moments of the game. Scrums and lineouts didn’t create any good, set-piece ball, tackling wasn’t up to the standards normally attained by Clitheroe but most importantly, Hutton were just too good.

Of the few positives to come out of the game, it was great to see young guns Fitzhenry and Dickinson back in Maroon and Gold and their tackling and determination never wavered. Scrum half Smudge Smith was snapping at his oppositions’ heels all afternoon and the old heads in the pack were always look to take the ball forward with gusto.

I suppose that out of the remaining games, this one was always going to be a tall order but perhaps we didn’t realise how tall! A more credible chance of a win comes up next when next Saturday Clitheroe travel to North Manchester. They lie a couple of places above Clitheroe in the league and even though Clitheroe are in the middle of perhaps their worst injury crisis in some time, they can certainly give the lads from Manchester a good challenge next week.