Fortress Littlemoor stays intact after thumping win

Clitheroe’s home paddock has been a happy hunting ground for the senior squads so far this season, with both teams remaining unbeaten at home.

West Park were the latest team to attempt to scale the ramparts, but the St Helens outfit were no match for a ruthless Clitheroe side.

Twelve tries to one was the end result in a 78-7 triumph for the hosts, with some effervescent running rugby that kept the crowd royally entertained.

The hard-working visitors never gave up but they were not at full strength, with many of their players away at the Superleague Grand Final.

Paradoxically Clitheroe travel to the same opposition in the cup this week. A far sterner test will await them.

Jamie Farrell filled the large boots of Ralph Rigby who was out with a tweaked groin. With a dearth of available props, up stepped John Procter. On the bench there was a welcome return for full back Martin Lafrancheschina, along with new back row man Peni Bevu.

Clitheroe opened the scoring after just five minutes when young wing man Joe Weld-Blundell scampered over, on his way to a hat-trick.

A blistering 10- minute spell in the middle of the first half, where Clitheroe scored four tries, effectively killed the game off. A quick hat-trick for captain Richard Few and one for openside flanker Richard Slinger put the game out of reach, before West Park showed there was some fight left in them when they crossed for a converted try just before the interval.

So 44-7 at half-time, and Clitheroe made clever use of the rolling substitutions.

South sea islander Bevu was introduced with a murmur of anticipation from the crowd – and didn’t disappoint with a debut try.

And Lafranceschina , after nearly two seasons out with a serious leg injury, was richly rewarded with a try.

Weld-Blundell completed his hat trick and full back Mark Jackson finished probably the best move of the game to score under the sticks.

Joe Hopkins notched up five conversions, Few bagged a couple more and slotted four conversions to round off an excellent personal haul.