Bedes Take the Spoils at Littlemoor

In a game that was in some doubt of being played some hours earlier, both teams put on a decent show of positive rugby for the sparse but doughty crowd.
Heavy overnight rain and a morning monsoon caused some frantic pitch inspections along with heavy consultation of weather forecast apps. As it was the rain eased enough for the majority of the surface water to disperse, leaving a sticky but firm-ish ground.
Old timers would have impressed, as ‘back in the day’ the pitch resembled the consistency of a sago pudding for most of the winter.
Didsbury based, Old Bedians were riding high coming to Littlemoor, handily placed third in league and with the possibility of going top, if other results went their way.
Bedes are familiar foes to Clitheroe and have had some marvelous tussles over the years and this proved no exception.
The usual raft of injuries and the lure of the Trafford Centre for Christmas shopping had forced the selectors hand yet again; Adam Wood came in at hooker, Ben Wheale added his impressive bulk to the second row and Joe Wilkinson occupied the No 8 shirt. The back line was more settled with Will Tattersall bringing his experience in the centres.
Jack Stanley, Ben Lancaster and Oscar Duck made up the back three – along with Wilkinson and Joe Aspin, poised to come off the bench for his debut; are all products of the successful Colts team of 2018-19 – a fantastic testament to the success and value of the Junior set up at Clitheroe.

Scrum half Nathon Burns had the Captain’s armband again as the maroons attacked the Clubhouse end in the first half.
Clitheroe started brightly and within 10 minutes were camped on the Bedes line. After a few false dawns and some strong repulsive force from the visitors, some determined work from the pack saw Adam Wood [pic] burrow through the tangle of bodies like a giant mole. After emerging blinking with his nose almost on the whitewash, he casually reached out and plonked the ball down for a great opening try. Burns just missed with the conversion.
But first blood to Clitheroe to boost their confidence.

However that was short lived as Bede's almost immediately struck back. Some good hands and support play saw them over to the right of the posts. Try converted and the short lived lead changed hands.
A couple of injuries then seemed to rock the home team; Wilkinson and Luke Hayton both departing too early. On came the resolute Kirk Kenyon to shore up the front row and Joe Aspin for his debut. Although the scrum was seemingly unaffected the changes did seem to upset the maroons rhythm.

So much so just before the interval Bedes were over again under the posts. Small things can boost morale and as the conversion attempt was superbly charged down by Matt Bleasdale - it seemed to give the side a little lift into the change round. (5-12 ). Two points saved – would it be important at the final shakedown?

Now playing with the famous Littlemoor slope, Clitheroe pressed ahead strongly in the first few minutes of the second act.
Penalty gained in range and up stepped Burns again to cut the deficit. The same player was on target on minutes later and suddenly at 11-12 Clitheroe were back in the game.
It was now end to end stuff and both sides sensed this was the pivotal part of proceedings. Some rather aimless kicking, to the man rather than space, from Clitheroe allowed Bedes to relieve pressure at critical moments.
Once such kick was countered by the visitors who went through for a well worked try. With their tails up Bedes followed up with a penalty. At 11-20 down going into the final quarter it seemed Clitheroe would fold like a mars bar in a microwave under the onslaught.
But this was not to be; Clitheroe showing some excellent fitness and spirit came back fighting. By now Henry Reynard was on for his debut 1st team outing and Jack Spider Nadin was into the fray also.
The scrum went into overdrive and the forwards created a position near the Bedes line. A few exploratory raids by the back line came to nothing but possession was retained and a little close quarter rumble from the supertankers created a gap for Burns to sneak in for a typical scrum half try. He added the extras and there was just two points in it.
Clitheroe attacked again but the clock beat them. Defeated, devastated but unbowed. The visitors went to the top of the league but knew they had had a lucky escape at Littlemoor.
A cracking game for the neutral observer, sympathetically reffed in the tricky conditions by Mr Hesketh.
Clitheroe move on to Bury RFC this week, and it will be interesting how they fair on the road against one of the division high rollers.. Hopefully they can carry the nicely developing esprit de corps with them down the M66 on Saturday.
I, for one, cannot wait.