Solid Seaside Win

Clitheroe travelled to Fleetwood on Saturday knowing that a win was well within their grasp and was well within the standards set by coach Tom Lavelle.
With a few more players becoming available the selectors were able to ring the changes after a disappointing result last week. Both Tom Walton and Norton Johnston were promoted from the bench; and it may have been no coincidence they were both , in very very different ways, the most influential players on show in maroon and gold. Prop Walton had one of his best games in the jersey for many years - at last clattering about to good effect.[and no knock ons - a record?] Johnston on the other hand was more of the will-o'-the-wisp beating defenders with footwork, pace and guile.

In glorious late summer sunshine and on a superb playing surface the crowd were in for a treat.

The first quarter saw the lads testing each other out with some big confrontations and big tackles. Referee Mr Lanzani, brooked no nonsense from the start in the tackle height and soon dished out his first yellow card to a home player.

However it was the green & golds who opened the scoring with a simple penalty [3-0] after five minutes.

On the quarter of an hour a scything break from Johnston down the left wing opened up the defence like a can of sardines, he offloaded to the ever faithful Nick Roberts to scamper in to open the Clitheroe's account. Johnston himself slotted the extras and the town team were good value for the lead. [3-7]
One or two more chances went a begging as the half wore on, much to the vexation of the Head Coach; but the tempo of the game was relentless.
A further penalty kick by Johnston brought the half to and end. [3-10] Nicely poised.

The second period started as the first with Fleetwood slotting a penalty [6-10] to close the gap.
This was swiftly canceled out with Johnston pegging one back for the maroons, [6-13] after 50 minutes.

Then Clitheroe went into overdrive and Ed Sinclair was the recipient after some fantastic approach work from the whole team. Quickly recycling the ball and after several waves of attack Fleetwood just ran out of defenders. A great try that almost brought a smile from the Head Coach. Though the Chairman and Secretary were well chuffed.
Extras over and Clitheroe seemed well in control at 6-20 up.

Another attack shortly after was looking good until Fleetwood infringed on the 22. A quick tap and go and Roberts was in for another.
Or was he?
No try! Clitheroe had, apparently, already elected for the kick at goal - so the referee , quite correctly brought play back. Kick over and 6-23 with 10 minutes left. Plenty of time for more with the home team tiring?
Not so. Fleetwood , who never gave up came back into the game and like a green tsunami kept flooding the maroon line. Only some excellent 'D' kept them out and the line remained unbreeched.

A solid win on the road with some standout performances. The back line gets better week on week - Will Tattersall combining with Adam Spencer and Nick Roberts to good effect. Connor Fletcher at full back was brave under the high ball and in defence and made some useful counter thrusts,; all will get better in time.
Up front, the pack made a good account of themselves, Joe Shorrock and Walton at prop did the nitty gritty well and showed up well about the park; Josh Malkinson and Nathan Sewell in the second row were unflinching in effort and Oscar Duck had an excellent game especially at line outs. [we'll not mention the kicking] .Good work from the bench boys - Pete Mitchell into the front row was his usual rumbustious self, Wayne Tierney & James Cathcart made themselves busy and signaled to the selectors and to absent players that competition is high for a starting XV jersey.
If they can put together a full 80 minutes together this team can cause many problems for opponents this season.

This week it's a home league match - Bury RUFC are the visitors. 3pm