Despite a couple of injuries/ unavailability and the absence of their Coach and leader Ryan, the boys arrived in good time and high spirits. By 10:15 the squad of 13 were all running laps of the pitch and committing to some hardcore tackling and match simulation attacking moves.

By the starting whistle and with the tremendous support of a Bolton Prop and second Row , Clitheroe were out of the blocks with real passion and desire. The first 15 minutes completely overwhelmed the Bolton team and Clitheroe ferociously rucked them off every ball and pounded away at the Bolton defence.

An early try for Harvey Haigh was well earned.

The game really was Clitheroe’s to lose as they dominated in every phase of open play. The forwards and backs linked brilliantly and they used the full width of the pitch with ever growing confidence. Hard charging runs from the pack punched holes that the backs exploited at every opportunity. By half time there was very little in this match as Bolton exploited Clitheroe’s wings with some exceptional runs and Clitheroe pushed back hard.

The second half started with equal energy and Bolton started to turn the screw with the ability to bring on wave after wave of replacement fresh legs as they utilised a declared a squad of 30 well schooled players. The flair in our squad was personified by an audacious Faf De Klerk display by our 9 Matt Threlfall who absolutely deserved his outrageous try. Nip and tuck, try for try, the game was a truly epic affair… despite the boys starting to tire. Further tries from well worked moves for Harvey ‘the 2 try machine’ and Shawn Quiroga kept the score within a single converted try till the dying minutes.

As the Bolton squad relentlessly rolled on their subs and the Clitheroe warriors tired . Heart was no longer enough… punishing out wide moves after battering our battle weary ranks nudged the Bolton squad into the lead.

To the last whistle Clitheroe never gave up and bullocking runs from 8 Davies and the entire team left the home spectator’s in awe of Clitheroe’s heart and grit. A hard game lost through sniper like accuracy from the Bolton kicker meant they converted 4 of their tries.
The final score of 33-22 was actually 5 tries to 4.

It is impossible to overstate the contribution from every Clitheroe player (and indeed the 4 Bolton lads who rotated through Clitheroe shirts to keep us scrummaging). Highlights over and above 4 excellent tries must be the passion, intelligent running lines, absolutely peerless rucking (ploughing was the call and by the Gods did they plough), and the fearless tackling that kept them in the game to the last. A pleasure to wear the Coach coat Sunday to guide a team full of character, shining a large light on the bright future these warriors will bring to CRUFC senior Teams.

The Bolton Coaching staff all praised the heart and energy of our Team and the Bolton end of game talk was one of respect for the 13 Clitheroe Spartans that pushed an overwhelming Bolton Squad to the final whistle. Well done men, you were epic.

CLITHEROE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

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