Cleethorpes RUFC

Conditions were almost perfect on the day for a game of entertaining running rugby, and while both sides tried their best defences came out on top early on.

The home side gradually gained the upper hand and Ashfield resorted to giving away penalties at the breakdown to slow things down.

Cleethorpes won a penalty on the 5mtr of Ashfield and dubiously opted for the scrum. They got the drive on but Roberts at the back picked up too early and the opportunity was lost.

Broderick however opened the scoring for the home side on the day with a well taken penalty out wide a couple of minutes later.

Seeing they could compete in all areas of the game the home side started to relax and Ashfield aided by some strong running at the fringe of the breakdown and some inept tackling from Cleethorpes started to boss things. 2 penalties in short time gave them the advantage at the half (3-6).

Several changes were made by Cleethorpes at half time the most telling was Brice for the injured Maddison.

Seeing they were still in this game after a terrible last 10 min of the first half was a bonus for the home side and cheered on by a large crowd they poured forward.

The breakdown was the key area for both sides and gradually Cleethorpes began to get the upper hand. They needed quick ball for the backs and their back row of Matt Searle, Williams and Roberts were playing like men possessed in getting that quick ball.

The returning Neal Markham at scrum half gave the go forward the forwards had been missing all season and with Broderick returning to his more accustomed position of fly half the home side now started to boss the game.

A purple patch of 15 mins now followed. An altercation on the Ashfield 22 involving both packs ended with Cleethorpes been awarded a penalty and Ashfield having to play a man down for 10 min.

Capindale bravely chose a scrum. Roberts picked up and drove toward the Ashfield fly half. This created the space needed. From the breakdown the ball was spun down the line and Charlton dived over in the corner to make the score 8-6.

Now in the ascendancy it was vital the yellow and blues made the most of their numerical advantage.

Ashfield tried to slow thing down and the breakdown became fractious to say the least.

At one ruck while both sets of forwards were having their own little get to know you session Burton emerged with the ball. This was quickly sent down the line and Brice burst through the first tackle and was on his way. It was a shoe in he would score in the corner, somehow the Ashfield full back had got across and made the tackle. But from nowhere Fanthorpe appeared in support. The veteran hooker showing the pace of his younger days to keep up. Brice had the presence of mind to pop the ball up and Fanthorpe fell over the line to extend the lead.

Although the lead was only 7 points you could sense from that was the game winning score. The only way Ashfield would score was from a home side mistake.

Ashfield were now back to 15 men, but such was the confidence of the home side this didn’t seem to matter. A bonus point was on offer and at times play became a little loose as Cleethorpes pursued this.

Pinned back in their own half Ashfield resorted to kicking clear and waiting for the mistake.
This mistake came in the form of a penalty given away for offside. The scrum half tapped quickly and some inept tackling presented the opportunity and before you knew the scores were level.

The disappointment on the faces of the home side’s players was mirrored in the crowd.

In days gone by this would probably ended in a loss, but this generation is made of sterner stuff.
Brice’s pace was causing problems all day for the away side and with 5 min to go he again broke clear. As he charged down the wing the space was closing as the cover came across. There was no support and he only had one option. A chip over the top and footrace. Most of the Cleethorpes team were stood in midfield watching with hands on hips, what had he done?
Only gone and won the game as he showed a clean pair of heals to his pursuers.

Although Broderick again missed the kick the game was won, 18-13.

This victory is a mark as to how far Cleethorpes have come on this season. Although Ashfield had been relegated last season they were still riding high this season and this was a proper grown up performance from the whole team.

This week see’s the 1st team travel to Horncastle in a local derby.
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