Clitheroe Prevail on Derby Day

An absolute humdinger of a game at the newly appointed Silcock Park on Saturday. Derby Day 2:0

Clitheroe raced to a 19-7 half time lead and then suffered a mini collapse as Burnley came back to level, then take the lead. A see-sawing of points on the scoreboard led to a grandstand finish.

A full to bursting Clubhouse had occupied, wined and dined sponsors and guests pre match as the new moniker for the ground was unveiled - named after our late, great, past President Colin Silcock.

As the guest trooped out at 3pm the players were assembled under blue skies in the glorious dog days of summer. [we hope not yet]. The pitch, like a emerald Axminster carpet, loving tended by groundman Phil almost up to kick off.

The home team in the new retro designed, or 'proper' - as the traditionalists call it, shirts were defending the Clubhouse end in the first half. With a sizable home support plus a great band of vocal traveller from over the hill, the atmosphere was as good as ever for the first home league fixture.
Clitheroe started the polar opposite of last week, by taking the game by the scruff of the neck . Immediately they were in the Burnley half making good inroads. The ball being passed confidently and recycling well. A few surges up the near touchline and the ball was shipped out for Scarface Neil Baggart to cut a hard line to crash under the posts. Nathon Burns converted and it was looking good.

Not too be outdone it was Matt Bleasdale on the scoreboard next, after some good approach work from the pack, Stickboy set sail for the corner and just squeezed in..
Burnley hit back with a try of their own, but this seemed a blip as speedy youngster Matty Mason carved up through the middle to dot down under the sticks. Co-captain Burns converted to leave Clitheroe seeming sitting pretty 19-7 up at the half time lemons.

More of the same perhaps, the home crowd hoped.

But Burnley had rightly come to spoil the party and suddenly invigorated scored three quick tries after the interval to not only draw level but , by gad, take the lead :19-21.
A wake up call? The other co-captain Nick Roberts thought so as he powered over to score shortly after . 26-21
Back again came the blue and yellow menace to draw level - Clitheroe's usual watertight defence was suddenly full of holes: 26 points a piece.

Once again it was all hands to the pump; some strong straightforward running needed now - no more straightforward characters than front rowers Tom Walton and Josh Burns - just the men for some 'hard yakka'. Into the Burnley 22 they went down the left before freeing the ball to the backs. Eventually Jack Nadin on the wing got his mitts on it and still with a bit to do, scooted in to retake the lead. 31-26.

Not long to go, that should be it? Not on your nelly! Burnley refused to surrender and drew level again 31-31. A tricky conversion missed.

Back attacking came the home team and lay siege to the Burnley line. Big carries from Ben Wheale and Sam Thornber, darting thrusts from Oscar Duck and Joe Aspin came close, but crucially the ball was retained, recycled and spun open. Sam White the receiver, always a safe bet with a one on one close that to the line, and over he went.

Nathon Burns wrapped it up with the conversion 38-31.
An unseemly and unnecessary scuffle just before full time gave neither side any credit , and failed to take the shine off a great game of rugby.

Both teams should be congratulated on producing a top notch game for the spectators. Fine margins.
Rematch in December at Holden Road, bet the weather will be different!