Chorley 1st XV 15 Clitheroe 1XV 19

Clitheroe travelled to Chorley, a side positioned middle of the table, who never seemed to loose matches by much. Clitheroe expected a tough encounter and that's what transpired. Clitheroe welcomed Gaz Pickup and Matt Bleasdale on to the wings, and Garth Spencer returned at fullback. The side are still without skipper Richard Few, so Will Dickenson continued as match day captain.

Clitheroe started the better, having the best of the opening exchanges and enjoying controlled possession. After 8 minutes, James Pate barged his way over for a try (becoming a habit for the Prop!). Nathan Peel converted from wide out. Score 0-7.

Chorley were not going to be pushed around. They came back strongly with good interplay from their forwards and backs. After 11 minutes they scored a well work try and missed the conversion. Score 5-7.

Clitheroe, playing with the wind in the first half then dominated possession for the next period. They crossed the line twice, once from a lineout catch and drive and the other from another tap penalty drive from Pate. Both scores were disallowed. Clitheroe kept the pressure on with quickly taken tap penalties inside the opposition 22. Chorley were penalised three times for repeated off side offences. Eventually, a quick ball from right to left enabled James Cathcart to cross the line for a try on 35 minutes. Nathan Peel converted from wide out. Score 5-14. An injury at this point to the Chorley scrum, meant uncontested scrums for the rest of the game. For once this was a area of strength for Clitheroe and changed the dynamic of the game.

Clitheroe started the second half well. From a quick penalty, the ball was moved quickly to Rick Slinger who broke the defensive line. Good inter-passing and support play resulted in James Cathcart crossing for his second try on 42 minutes. Conversion missed. Score 5-19.

Chorley immediately responded with a penalty after Clitheroe infringed at a ruck on 46 minutes. Score 8-19.

Clitheroe engineered other opportunities to score, but the final pass and lack of cohesion in the pick and drive close to Chorley line prevented further scores. Chorley defence was impressive through this period, led by their inspirational No.8.

Chorley rallied their spirit and on 20 minutes scored a well worked try which was converted. Score 15-19.

Clitheroe responded well and had a series of attacks well defended by Chorley. With 3 minutes left and in Chorley 22 meter, they launched an attack from a scrum which got their right winger into space. He was heading for the corner flag to score, when Gaz Pickup made a half tackle on him and Lewis Hardman tracked the whole diagonal of the pitch from the 2nd row to tackle him into touch. An astonishing effort. What proved to be the match winning contribution, as Clitheroe held out for a narrow win on the road.