Penrith 2nd XV 15 Clitheroe 1st XV 7

Penrith 2nd XV 15 Clitheroe 1st XV 7

Clitheroe visited Penrith for the first time in their history, for an eagerly awaited top of the table clash. Both teams were unbeaten in the league so far, so a great game of rugby was expected. Clitheroe were in for a tough test on a clear sunny day, on a dry track and fantastic playing conditions.

Following last weeks cup win away at Southport, Clitheroe were in no mood to let the continued absence due to injury of their captain Richard Few, get in the way of league success. With a few others unavailable this week, Chris Stewart moved to full back, with a centre pairing of Edward 'bicky' Dickinson and Nathan Peel. Mike Floyd returned to the left wing with Garth Spencer continuing on the right wing, as did James Cathcart at Stand off. Luke Loveridge made his debut at scrum half. Upfront, continuing skipper Will Dickenson, welcomed Adam Penny and James Pate into his front row, with Ross Chamberlain and Lewis Hardman in the second row. Nat Dickenson continued in the back row, with James Haynes and Rick Slinger playing at No.8 and Open-side respectively.

Penrith started well, as Clitheroe tried to get over the bus journey to Cumbria. It was obvious very early on the opposition had a good mixture of youth (ex Colts players) and experience. They had a very structured game plan and an excellent set piece.

After 10 minutes, Penrith scored from a from a passage of play started in their own half. Two big ball carriers made indents in Clitheroe's defence due to missed first up tackles. When the ball was recycled quickly Clitheroe struggled to defend the ball going wide and Penrith scored. The try was converted, 7-0.

From the restart the followed a period of excellent rugby from both sides, which only unforced errors and stubborn defence prevented further scores. When Clitheroe did attack, the ball was moved wide and had the clear edge, but were failing to make the last pass stick and making too many unforced errors.

With 28 minutes gone Penrith attacked off a scrum inside their own half. First up tackles were again missed by the Clitheroe defence and after three phases Penrith scored and excellent second try. The conversion was missed 12-0.

Injuries to Garth Spencer and James Haynes at this stage of the game led to a reshuffle. Luke Hayton came off the bench to play at flanker with Rick Slinger moving to No.8 and Stu Railton came on at 12 with Edward 'bicky' Dickinson moving to the right wing.

Play from both sides continued to ebb and flow, but the error count from Clitheroe continued to hamper decent attacks turning into points.

James Cathcart was injured just before the break leading to another reshuffle. Ralph Rigby came on in the second row, with Rick Slinger moving from the back row to the centre, Ross Chamberlain, rolling back the years to play at No.8 and Nathan Peel moving into Stand off.

As the first half drew to a close, Clitheroe began to get to grips with the Penrith game and defended resiliently to prevent a further scores.

The Clitheroe half time message was clear, reduce error count, stop forcing the pass and make the first up tackles. Take the game to them through the forwards.

The second half began as a war of attrition, as both sides cancelled each other out defensively, albeit the game was becoming littered with some loose passing and handling errors. On 45 minutes James Cathcart returned to the field at stand off replacing Nathan Peel. Clitheroe were beginning to get the upper hand and were attacking really well, but loose passes under pressure and great defence by Penrith kept Clitheroe from scoring. Adam Penny was replaced by James Haynes after 62 minutes, with Will Dickenson going to hooker and Ross Chamberlain to prop.

On 65 minutes after a few attempts, the Clitheroe forwards eventually battered their way over the line, with a try for James Pate. Edward 'bicky' Dickinson added the conversion, 12-7.

Penrith were not going to lie down and came back strongly. On 74 minutes, Clitheroe infringed at a ruck, in front of their own posts allowing Penrith to kick a penalty goal, to take the lead 15-7.

Now needing two scores to win with only 6 minutes remaining, Clitheroe made a final change, replacing Nat Dickenson with Nathan Peel, moving Rick Slinger back into the back row from centre. However, there were no further scores.

The match finished 15-7, with Clitheroe suffering their first defeat of the season.

Sometimes you just have to accept you were beaten by the better side on the day, who stuck to a game plan and played with fewer mistakes and took their chances.