No last game hurrah against Tarleton

This final game in Clitheroe’s long season and on beautiful sunny day at Littlemoor they met the youngsters from Tarleton, a team they had lost out to in the first league fixture back in September. Still missing some regulars in the back line, Clitheroe hoped to keep the ball away from the fleet-footed opponents at every turn and although they managed to do this to some degree, defensive lapses were to cost them dear.

Clitheroe started brightly and were recycling the ball to good effect, making good yards into the Tarleton half. A momentary lapse in concentration allowed firstly, the Tarleton back row to snaffle the ball and subsequently, their back line to stretch their legs and run in a good try from 50 yards out. Clitheroe were straight back at them and forced a penalty just out of the opposition 22, which Lafranceschina, playing at fly half, slotted with ease. Two more kickable penalties came Clitheroe’s way in short succession but only one was converted to make the scoreline 7-6 in Tarleton’s favour.

The rest of the game was obviously very frustrating for the home team. Time and again they kept possession and grinded up field only for Tarleton to turn the ball over and break out. Clitheroe probably enjoyed more than 60% possession and territory throughout the whole game but were undone by the Tarleton forwards playing the off-side line to its limit, their back line shipping the ball into space with apparent ease and Clitheroe’s defence not really being up to the standard required against such a young and pacy team. One moment of delight came in second half when Clitheroe pushed forward with purpose for an extended period. After some quick rucks and determined play from the loose forwards, returning student James Dickinson was on hand to evade a couple of defenders and dot the ball down for Clitheroe’s only try of the game and his first of the season.

Overall, Clitheroe stuck at it with Callaghan, Smith and Chamberlain the pick of the players on the day but obviously, they need to work harder on the training paddock to become more of a threat against teams such as Tarleton. More bad news was to follow with replacement back row McEntyre suffering a worrying injury to his throat after a desperate attempt to stop the final try of the game. Luckily he’s on the mend and should be back in the fray for the upcoming President’s Match on Saturday 9th May, the annual challenge match between the President’s and the Chairman’s select sides. Put this date in your diary and make sure you attend early as the club will be presenting a sizeable cheque to the North West Air Ambulance charity around 14:30 representing the money raised in the club’s 30th anniversary season ending last September.

One final thing to mention is that all the British Lions games are to be shown at the club through May and June and you can check out the club website at www.clitheroerugby.com for dates and more information about what’s on at the club during the close season, which includes activities such as regular training for seniors and juniors, pre-season training from July, a summer barbeque and potentially a mixed tag rugby tournament. If websites aren’t your thing then please feel free to call Bob Wilkinson on 07962 099935 to find out more.