First Big 'W' of the Season for the 2's

It was a grey chilly afternoon as the cavaliers came together for their seventh outing of the season. Its been a disappointing start results wise but plenty of guts has been shown at various stages.

The team sheet read well with several new arrivals and returning fan favourites bolstering the ranks.

Rossendale turned up with a decent sized squad but had opted to blood a number of younger lads.

The game began well for the mighty maroons who looked very dapper in the new kit (although I do wonder how great we would have looked had we ordered adult sizes, must be brexit cost cutting).

The pack soon gained the upper hand in the arm wrestle against a gamely Rossendale 8. The back row in particular was enjoying a bit of space by virtue of the tight five setting a platform for the first time this season. After a series of darts at the line where any number of the pack could have scored the ball went wide and a high tackle halted the promising attack.

Captain Kirk was in no mood for messing about and immediately opted for the points. Up stepped Connor who has the most bizarre (but effective) kicking style the club has seen in many a year, who promptly toe poked the ball clean though the uprights.

The forwards failed dismally to deal with the restart allowing the young Dale boys some space time and field position. Fortunately they decided to try and take the cavaliers head on and some good defensive work from all quarters led to a knock on. The scrum contest was already over with the experienced clitheroe front row asserting themselves strongly at each opportunity so the lines were comfortably cleared.

The cavaliers were perhaps a bit guilty of over playing in the Dale 22 squandering a few chances and Dale were quite content to run the ball were threatening. Eventually the cavaliers reverted to their trademark style of play being well marshalled by the tireless Dave Watson at 9 began to attack the fringes and play a bit off 9 after a period of sustained pressure Pete Farnworth picked a wonderful line (by virtue of tripping over) and crashed over. Again a sensational toe poke added the extras.

Dale broke back and the normally calm collected never in trouble or carded Pete Farnworth immediately blotted his copy book (with an early contender for the most bone headed decision on the pitch moment) decided, whilst v. Slowly retreating from miles offside, to volley the ball back towards the clitheroe lines, not only can't he kick he did it front of the ref who had just warned the maroons to calm it down and not be morons........ A yellow card followed.

It was a game changing moment. Dale kicked down field, there was a knock on and Clitheroe's depleted pack won the put in against the head and cleared their lines. Kino broke from the Dale line out and forced a penalty. 14 cavaliers breathed a sigh of relief as a penalty would eat up more of Pete's time in the bin. one cavalier however had other ideas some would say he possessed by the cavalier spirit (I think the tight shirt deprived him of oxygen personally) , either way Tubber, not satisfied with being part of a dominant tight five which had won 100% of all scrums, tapped and went and went hard, maybe it was the skin tight top coupled with the aerodynamic haircut but his initial thrust took him 15 metres into enemy territory, kino who had a tremendous match was in support added a further surge, dave Watson hit the ruck like a train the ball was available and there was Tubber screaming for the ball, he took the pop pass and showed the Dale three quarters a clean pair of heels to carve through for a splendid finish from at least 30 meters out. Again the extras were added. 17 - 7 at half time was probably a little unfair on the maroons but was still the best 40 of the season.

Half time saw a number of changes being made. Super chef Barry came onto the wing, Harry Pund took some time off to sign autographs and was replaced by Jim Smith who was making a welcome return to the fold having retired for the 7th time last season. Dan made his debut on the flank and super stony Ben came on in the centres along with Sam

Having seen the tight five dominate Smithy knew he would have to do something special to keep with the first forty and sure enough five minutes in he crashed over for a try with the Dale pack on his back. Kino realised despite having a great game he hadn't actually scored a point so he added the extras.

At this point the cavaliers shut down a little bit and let Dale come back into the game and fair play to them they scored one well worked try and one that was to be fair soft. Dale continued to build a head of steam and the clitheroe defence was stretched, however there was plenty of guts in defence typified by Chef Barry in only his third ever game flew into the Dale captain at full tilt bringing him and the threatening position to an abrupt halt. It certainly knocked the stuffing out of the Dale captain......[terrible pun....editor]

The hit inspired the maroon pack back into action and once again they moved up the pitch and reverted to the more direct approach. A couple more tries followed, both from the backs. One a piece for Matt Probart and Josh Dolan , to add a bit of shine to the scoreline and allow the party to start.

A superb all round effort from all the boys, special mentions to the debutants. Dan for some great support work and fearless defence and to Ben who made some powerful surges from midfield. Good to have Ben tenant continuing his education in the boiler house with Josh Dolan adding a bit of class alongside Matt Probart who enjoyed a solid afternoon.

The challenge is now to repeat the performance and secure the next W...........

From the roving front row Will Jones