Unbeaten Home Record Intact -Just

A gripping and tense performance from the town's rugby team on Saturday saw them further extend their undefeated home record.

Since the end of April 2015 they have repelled all boarders that have visited Littlemoor, though in this match they nearly let it slip, but dug very deep into the well of reserves and came out on top after a breathless final 10 minutes.

Any game against the might and the resources of Preston Grasshoppers RFC is going to be a tough one. This game proved no exception.

Preston brought a strong and experienced squad full of nous, aggression and guile and the game was the toughest that Clitheroe had faced this term; the battered and tired bodies proved testament of the commitment of the home players plus the warm applause of the crowd to both teams as they left the arena was fitting after such an entertaining match.

Clitheroe were largely unchanged from the previous week but they were able to bring Harry Bailey back into the pack.

Clitheroe started with a bang when Captain Richard Few scuttled through to open the maroons account after only 7 minutes of play. (5-0)
He was soon followed by centre James Dickenson who scored wide out on the right after a tremendous build up from deep in their own half. (10-0)

Hoppers then came alive and struck back hard with two converted tries of their own to retake the lead.
(10-14)
Not to be out done, the skipper again showed a clean pair of heels to the opposition and it was try number two for Mr Few. James Dickinson converted for Clitheroe to restablish the lead. (17-14) and then extended it further, when Few grabbed his well deserved hat trick try. (22-14)

Clitheroe seemed well worthy of the lead at this point. But the visitors began to knuckle down to their task and they scored two tries in rapid succession just prior to the interval to give them a 2 point advantage at the turn around. (22-24)

The Littlemoor men were slightly baffled by the scoreline after scoring four smart tries, to be in arrears seemed scant return for their endeavors.

No panic though, on came Welshman James Haynes to maintain the tempo in the back row and after 10 minutes of the restart, after a quietish first half, full back Martin Lafranceschina powered over using his reach well and once again Clitheroe had their noses in front.

The long limbed full back was on the score sheet again bundling over under the shadow of the posts, Dickinson on hand with the extras to stretch the lead further. (34-24)

Surely they could wrap it up now? 10 points ahead with quarter of an hour to go.

Hoppers, not surprisingly were having non of it, and they brought all their experience to bear and began to turn an almighty screw on to the maroon defence.

A try conceded from a close quarter drive closed the gap. The extras even more (34-31) and the game moved towards the final stanza.

Clitheroe weren't done and a rare break out saw Hoppers transgress; a gift penalty kick for Dickinson (37-31).

Then followed the might of the Preston pack as they threw the kitchen sink, plus most of the crockery as well at Clitheroe. Eventually after some mammoth monster defence the line was breached and the visitors were over for the try (37-36).

The hushed let out a collective breath as the conversion slid wide. But there was still time for the men from Lightfoot Green to launch a last raid on the thin maroon line.

Some massive tackles and ceaseless defence matched the remorseless waves of attack at the clubhouse end.

A penalty to Hoppers within kicking range was somewhat inexplicably spurned in favour of a scrum and somehow Clitheroe scrambled clear.
Never has the sound of the referee's whistle been so welcome as he blew for time.

Clitheroe can be relieved that they came away with the win, on a day when they stood up and were counted.
Character building stuff for the players. Nail shredding for the coaches. Fantastic entertainment for the spectators.