Solid 'W' on the Road

Clitheroe made the longish journey down to leafy Marple on Saturday with a squad showing many many changes from last week. Stag do's, injuries and new babies - that the life of a selector at grassroots rugby. The injuries are unavoidable but the other two....?!

Marple's glorious broad acres of grounds were in perfect condition and with just a hint of a swirling breeze, that helped no one, the scene was set for a great game.

In fact on the last two occasions Clitheroe visited Wood Lane they could only muster a paltry 12 points and shipped over 80. So the neutral observer could have been forgiven to worry that it would be one way traffic.

But in fact, & in a way it was; however it took till well into the second half when Clitheroe were really in full control.

With various mums, dads , hobbling players and a good sprinkling of WAGS on the touchline, reinstalled fly half James Cathcart kicked off five minutes early.
Matt Bleasdale returned the first kick striding through the defence, setting the tone on what was to come.
The maroons were soon into the red zone, pressing the home try line; and that bundle of energy - Sam White was over to open the account.

Marple soon got into their stride and with a pacy backline,looked pretty dangerous out wide. Clitheroe's defence was all consuming and a loose pass was snapped up by Jack Nadin who scampered over under the sticks.
Deja vu 10 minutes later; a forced pass and Spider Nadin pounced and was galloping away for his second try.

Skipper Nathon Burns converted all three tries to put Clitheroe 0-21 up at the break.

A pleasing but slightly flattering scoreline we thought.

In the first 15 minutes of the second period Marple threw everything at Clitheroe including several kitchen sinks. All to no avail, as although, they got near the line on a couple of occasions, mostly all their attacks were snuffed out by a suffocating defence in midfield.

On the hour mark with the home team seeming running out of ideas, Clitheroe broke out and began to play some great rugby.
Top notch interpassing, off loading and general support play led to a try bonanza.
Matt Bleasdale capped a strong game by dotting down under the posts. Closely followed by Cathcart, showing a rare turn of pace -all arms and legs as he grabbed his try.

Then it was co-captain Nathon Burns' turn to scuttle over. Other co-captain injured Nick Roberts cheering/seething on the touch line!! To wrap up proceedings it was fitting that the boy White would score again to bookend a fine display.

Nathon Burns had a 100% record with his conversions to put the final score at 0-49.

A bit unfair to highlight too many names as the squad as whole performed so well. But Rick Slinger, dragged out of DIY/shopping/under the thumb, had a smart game in his favourite second row position, as did prop Sam Thornber and Pete Mitchell in the front row. Youngsters Caleb Brown and Ollie Barraclough, Matty Mason and Oscar Duck all looked the part. Not as young Richard Few proved there was life in the old dog still.
In the back row Joe Aspin was superb in support play, just like a proper flanker should be, said one wise observer.

Many thanks to Jack Stanley, stand in physio with the magic sponge.
So a satisfying road trip for the players and supporters. Early days into the season and plenty of rugby to come. It is clear there is now a real competition for places in the squad. This can only be beneficial for the Club overall.