The. 1st XV made their first appearance in a cup final yesterday at a baking hot Rossendale RFC playing for the Raging Bull Bowl against Liverpool University Vets 1st XV. (Veterinary that is).
Against a team whose average age must have been about 21 Clitheroe were undone by a team with superior fitness, the advantage of youth I suppose. The skill levels were fairly even over all and playing up the slope and against a stiff breeze a 0-5 half time deficit was encouraging.
The students unremitting defence forced enough errors from Clitheroe to seal the game with a few breakaway tries. The maroons could have crumbled and been overwhelmed late in the game, and that may have happened a few seasons back, but the lads certainly gave everything for the jersey and were well rewarded with a try from Taffy Haynes.
But it just wasn't to be as Clitheroe struggled to get their dangerous outside backs into the game.
In the final wash up the Vets deserved the win and are a good tight team.
But Clitheroe are at the end of an excellent season; all senior teams unbeaten at Littlemoor, the 2nds promoted & the 1sts finishing 3rd in their division and reaching a Cup Final.
If that had been offered to the players back in September we'd have grabbed it with both hands.

The players have been brilliant this season, some old, some new and some returning : they have been a credit to themselves, the Club and the town.

Roll on 2016-17 season. It'll be here before we know it.