Winnig ugly perhaps but winning never the less!

Following a home defeat at the hands of North Manchester last week, Clitheroe were looking forward to this game with some anticipation, mainly to show themselves that they could turn the good work that had been done on the training field into a quality performance. This time the visitors were Blackpool, a team lying second from bottom and one that Clitheroe had beaten back in November and the lads were itching to get started.

In terms of personnel changes from the previous game, Martin Yeoman was handed his first start in a Clitheroe jersey, Martin Lafranceschina moved into the back row from his usual place in the backs replacing the absent Simon Cowgill, Dan Smudge Smith was reinstalled at scrum half with veteran Dave Wideboy Watson moving to fly half and Martin O'Connor returned to the wing. This was a strong team with high expectations and it looked very promising right from the off.

Clitheroe kicked off up the slope and after some sloppy defensive work from Blackpool, the Maroon & Golds were driving forward with menace. A series of lineouts and good work from both backs and forwards saw Captain Graves barging his way over the line from 10 yards, fly half Watson providing the assist and newly-installed flanker Lafranceschina slotting the conversion. Five minutes in and 7 points up, all was good with the world!

From the restart all seemed to be continuing in the same vein. Solid platforms were being created by the forwards and the backs were looking spritely. Wingman O'Connor was unlucky to cross the line over in the right corner after being set free by his centres and Number 8 Curphy was dangerous every time he had the ball. There were two things that kept Clitheroe from scoring- the resolute Blackpool defence, especially in their midfield, and unfortunately, the referee. On numerous occasions, Clitheroe were being penalised for scrummaging and rucking offences and in some eyes, far too harshly. That said, one of the great things about rugby is the refereeing and the way in which players have total respect for the referee, This was no different and however unfair it was at the time, Clitheroe kept on plugging away.

After around 25 minutes or so, the tide began to change and as Clitheroe became a little lacklustre in defence, Blackpool started to come alive. On the 35 minutes mark, Blackpool suceessfully drove the length of the field through shrewd forward play and forced Clitheroe to camp out on their own line. Although the line stayed intact for a few minutes, the attack was relentless and the ever-vocal Baz from Blackpool threw his bulk over the whitewash to make the scores 7-5.

The second half started with Clitheroe once again in the ascendancy, centre and Vice Captain Matt Bartle releasing his outside centre Callaghan into space on numerous occasions only for the move to be snuffed out by the strong Blackpool midfield. However, Callaghan did manage to escape their clutches after 5 minuutes of the half had elapsed and after a good show of acceleration and a sidestep of three, he was over the line to make it 12-5 to Clitheroe.

All appeared to be going well, despite the worsening pitch but Clitheroe were once more to fall foul of the referee's whistle and a short range penalty brought Blackpool to within 4 points. Once they did manage to get back into the red zone, Clitheroe made it pay, with old-boy Ollie McEntyre showing he's not quite finished yet. A scrum against the head sent the ball squirting out the side and McEntyre pinned back his ears and rolled back the years to scamper over, much to the delight of the Clitheroe faithful supporters.

One more penalty from Blackpool sent a few ripples of worry through the Clitheroe side in that they got to within a converted try of the win, but ultimately, Clitheroe deserved their victory. The win kept Clitheroe in 7th place but a defeat by their next opponents Chorley away at Colne & Nelson now means that Clitheroe can move up two places next week should they win next week and Hawcoat Park lose their home match against front runners Windermere. Although the rugby's not yet reached champagne level and it's taking time to get the team working together, it's certainly looking up for the boys from Littlemoor. Keep it up lads!