2nd on bounce for 2nds

On the back of a good win against Rossendale two weeks ago a struggling Vale side were the visitors to Littlemoor on a bright but chilly November afternoon. Clitheroe buoyed with numbers with an influx of fresh faces it was time to throw some in at the deep end.

A crisp clean sky saw the maroons kick off charging down the slope. After a knock on the forwards piling into the breakdown, the maroons won the scrum, though the usually dominant Clitheroe pack were to not have it all there own way today , but this was not one of those occasions. The ball won, guided away under the watchful eye of Dave Watson at 9 to Sam White,who was looking like he had spent the last two weeks living in the gym, started gliding through defenders. Heading for the bottom left corner, cutting back inside to get the first touch down; with Matt Probart adding the extras.
Barely had the restart happened the ball found its way to Matt 'stick boy' Bleasdale - who scampered up the pitch to grab his first - no extras this time.
Vale may of only been able to muster 14 men, and a borrowed player off the maroons, but were not going to roll over and give up; and beating the Clitheroe pack off the ball at the scrum and a couple phases more saw them cross the whitewash - no extras.

Now that the entourage had arrived pitch side in matching bobble hat and gloves sets clutching the Guinness, Bleasy was ready to score again. This time Sam White drawing the men. A simple pop up and for Bleasdale just a gentle stroll under the sticks. Only as the whooping and whistling from Will Jones subsided could the entourage be heard.

Not to be out done Sam W on a blistering run going around or through nearly every Vale player got his second minutes later and added the extras 24-5 at the half.

The second half start much like the first five mins and Bleasdale scampered through for his hat trick; answered almost immediately by Sam W scoring his (not that it's a competition boys!)
The forwards feeling a little left out started to rumble, pick an go & crash it up. Phase after phase, meter by meter closer to the line. Then from 2 meters out George Hamlet, now at 9, decided he had had enough picked and dove for the line extras added.

With Clitheroe in their own 22 managed to win the Vale line out - Matt Mitchell with the steal it was the other brother from the breakdown the brothers running off each other rumbling up the pitch the score was on but witch would cross the line in the end with only the young fullback to beat and a beautiful inside switch from mat our last seasons most improved player, Pete the Wombat Mitchell squealed and went for glory in a typical style bullish run left the full back zero chance of success.vale didn't give up and all credit to them and the final minute saw them keep the pressure on and score a great try at the death 55-12 the finale score.

With new faces joining the ranks getting everyone some game time was tough but Dan Wallbanks work ethic and ability starting to shine at flank. Brothers - Aiden and Mathew Walton showing promise and Harry more than capable at senior level.

Huge thank yous to to both Chris Birchall and John Procter from saying they were available, but allowing the young lads on in their place.
But that is what this is a team effort win or lose these guys are in it for each other, so onward to next week as we await the edited highlights of a bus trip to Hawcoat Park .

Report by KK