The opening league game for the 1st XV was a tense and at time a bad tempered affair, but with one try apiece the visitors edged it with the extra penalty kick and Clitheroe had to be content with the loosing bonus point.
Early days yet, of course, in Counties 3 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire and plenty of time for the team to find their feet. But in hindsight the team have too much experience as not to be so profligate in leaving points out there on the pitch - be that not taking the kick for goal when on offer or not putting away the chances when the arise.

The usual late summer work & holiday malaise hit the selection hard and a certain amount of reshuffling was needed. Notably Will Tattersall moving to the unaccustomed No 9 jersey, but it was encouraging to see a couple of supertankers poised on the bench , Tom Walton and Pete Wombat Mitchell, alongside dazzling new recruit Norton Johnston.

De La Salle RFC from Salford were the new opponents for the maroons, who had dropped down a division last season. They came with a reputation of being hard to beat and so it proved.
With plenty of rugby league background it took some time for Clitheroe to adjust to the physicality of the game. The game was nip and tuck for the first 40 minutes with neither side giving an inch. Territorial advantage was probably even and a 0-0 half time score was a fair reflection of the game.

The second period was more dramatic in several ways. The game began to open up as both teams looked to break the deadlock.

From a line out on the De La Salle 22; a nice catch and give from Oscar Duck, set the backs loose. Nick Roberts made yards up the middle then quick ball was recycled to the supporting pack. Wombat Mitchell rumbled on drawing in the defence leaving a classic 4 on 2 on the blind side. A lovely fix and pass from Adam Spencer put Joe Wilkinson away in the corner. No extras but the home support mightily relieved.

It didn't last long as the visitors came storming back and after some close quarter thrusts bundled over to level the scores and the took the lead with the extras.

With time running out and tempers hotting up Clitheroe attacked again and secured a kickable penalty. Johnston was on target for his first points in marron and gold. 8-7 and only minutes left. Cool heads were needed to see out the game.

But alas, the tension was too much for some on both sides - and in the final moments the ref flashed a few cards to both teams and gave the visitors a penalty to seal the win by a slender margin.

What might have been? A steep learning curve of taking chances and game management. Well done to De La Salle for staying in the hunt to the end and we look forward to meeting them again, this time in the Lancashire Bowl in October.

Next up it's trip to Fleetwood for the 1s and the 2's host Colne and Nelson 2s