Clitheroe 45 Prenton 35

Ten tries, a hat-trick, a penalty try and the lead changing hands three times. It's the first time Clitheroe and Prenton have met in the RFU leagues and we'll have them back any time, such was the value in the game served up.

Prenton started the sharper. They kept the ball tight from the kick-off, made all the early yards and were over by the posts inside four minutes, converted for 0-7. Clitheroe then spent a long spell camped on the Prenton line, and after several minutes of battering at it Joe Clarke got the first of his three, Adrian Davies converting to level it at 7-7 on 13 minutes.

The middle of the half was hard work. Three penalties in a row on our own line were survived, Davies cleared the pressure with a fine kick into the Prenton half, slotting back into the ten shirt like he'd never been away, and then captain Oscar Duck was shown yellow for offside on 20 minutes. Prenton kicked that penalty and another soon after to lead 13-7, and when Peter Mitchell burst up the middle and the ball was recycled left for Clarke to twist and stretch over for his second, Matt Mason's conversion attempt came back off the post. 12-13, and a third Prenton penalty made it 12-16 on 28 minutes.

The last minute of the half turned it. A clean lineout win, Duck carrying twenty yards through the middle before throwing a loop pass to Ed Sinclair, up in support on the left, who scored in the corner. Davies landed a fine conversion from the touchline, and Clitheroe went in 19-16 up.

Prenton came out and scored a good try within two minutes of the restart, converted, to go 19-23 ahead. Andrew Parker answered on six minutes, released down the right wing and stepping his man for a very good score, 24-23. Prenton missed a penalty that would have put them back in front, and on 59 minutes a quick-tap penalty by Duck eleven yards out was stopped illegally, the referee awarding a penalty try and a yellow card to Prenton. 31-23.

It still wasn't settled. Prenton cut through some loose tackling to score and convert straight away, 31-30, before Duck, from another quickly taken penalty on the right, sliced through from fifteen metres to score and Davies converted for 38-30. Prenton's winger then sniped off the back of a scrum for their fourth try, 38-35 with five minutes left, conversion missed.

Clitheroe did the rest the right way. Pressure straight from the kick-off from Clarke and Gil Stanton pinned Prenton in their own half, and in the closing minutes Joe Clarke went over for his hat-trick, Davies adding the extras for 45-35 at the whistle.

Players of the match: Prenton chose Matt Mason, and our principal sponsor partner Steeles Solicitors chose Matt Owen-Davies, a thoroughly deserved accolade for this excellent scrum half and competitor.

Thank you to Prenton for the game they brought to Silcock Park, played hard and in the right spirit from the first minute to the last. We wish them every success for the rest of the season and look forward to the return fixture.

Scorers: tries Clarke 3, Sinclair, Parker, Duck, penalty try; conversions Davies 4.

The 1st XV go top of Counties 3 with three wins from four. Next up is Ashton-under-Lyne at Silcock Park on Saturday 31 October, kick-off 2:15.

How the scoring went

• 4' Prenton try by the posts, converted, 0-7
• 12' Clarke try after sustained pressure on the line, Davies conversion, 7-7
• 20' Duck yellow card (offside); Prenton penalty, 7-10
• 23' Prenton penalty (not releasing), 7-13
• 26' Mitchell break, Clarke try on the left, Mason conversion hits the post, 12-13
• 28' Prenton penalty, 12-16
• 39' Lineout, Duck carry and loop pass, Sinclair try on the left; 40' Davies conversion from the touchline, 19-16
• Half-time: 19-16
• 42' Prenton try, converted, 19-23
• 46' Parker try on the right, conversion missed, 24-23
• 49' Prenton missed penalty
• 59' Penalty try after Duck's quick tap, Prenton yellow card, 31-23
• 60' Prenton try, converted, 31-30
• 66' Duck try from a quick penalty on the right, Davies conversion, 38-30
• 75' Prenton try (winger off a scrum), conversion missed, 38-35
• 79'+ Clarke try (hat-trick), Davies conversion, 45-35
• Full time: 45-35

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire, Silcock Park, Saturday 17 October 2026. Referee Mark Robinson.