UNRIVALLED COVERAGE OF SPORT IN THE RIBBLE VALLEY For agSwErflsfieilefifestaiBs


Thursday, September 4th, 2003 40


In association with


For adwBliIsfiniilsf®faHs in the


Clitheroe


Advertiser & Times contact


Jsa Rudgyard qi and Edward Lee


CLITHEROE FC are cel­ ebrating becoming the first


has been opened up to senior clubs - and a plaque


__


clubs have been able to earn an FA Charter Stan­ dard to show that they are run efficiently and within a series of guidelines. And now that scheme


club in Lancashire to win a prestigious new FA award. For several, years, junior


Blues set the standard


junior clubs for some time and has just been opened up to senior clubs and we’re


-


said this week: "We must run our club pretty well to achieve this standard. “It has been available to


has gone on display at Shawbridge this week to mark them as the first club in the county to be hon­ oured. Chairman Dave Burgess


the first in Lancashire to get it.


mittee minutes . and accounts placed under the FA microscope, the club also has to prove it has the necessary first aiders and a


conduct and a series of guidelines and we must have met up with all the criteria.” As well as having com­


“The FA has a code of


child protection officer in place. ■


more than happy with everything and we are proud to have this award. “I t will give us some


--------- * —-— xw» uo.


clout with the FA when it comes to funding issues over the next year or so - it is obviously a good thing for us.”


“The FA are obviously PPittl 'X uavc uurges


Sculpher delight as winning run goes on


By PHIL SIMPSON


pleased as he has been this season, after probably his sides’ toughest game to date.


Gary Jackson


because they didn’t really threaten us at all.” The Blues have netted a


hard for the full 90 min­ utes, and obviously Chris Whittingham has popped up with another late one. “Our keeper hasn’t real­ ly had a clear save to make,


good win actually, it was a tough game and probably one of the most difficult we’ve played this season. “We’ve worked very


He said: “I t was a very


time from Chris Whitting- ham, took three more points back to Shawbridge, after a narrow 1-0 win at Squires Gate. And Sculpher was as


start to the season on Tues­ day. Another late strike, this


BLUES boss Lee Sculpher was delighted after his side maintained their perfect


there to get the three points, and we could have wrapped those up by half­ time.


front early on, I think we would have scored more than just the one and won quite handsomely.’


quite a few chances from left-back, especially early on, and there keeper had made two top quality saves. “If we could have got in


w


kept plugging away, and finally we got what I feel we deserved. “Barrie (Hart) has had


“But we didn’t, and we


few goals in the last few minutes, and it just shows the lads are keeping focused right up the death. “To be honest we went


to show out fitness levels are up there with the best. “We’ve scored quite a


last gasp strike in every one of their matches to date, and Sculpher spoke of the reasons as to why his side leave it so late. He added: “It just goes


price to pay for the victory in midweek: “Jason Jones picked up a bit of a groin strain, so he’s definitely


But there was a slight


. pitch wasn’t very good and it meant you couldn’t play a passing game on it. “So that meant it was all


Route One, sending a high ball down for the front two and letting them run on to it.


knocked out at that stage in recent years, but if we’d have drawn that we would have had another midweek game and got behind in the league.


« *v*u*Av* I ’d rather play in the


again, and deserved it, so its nice to finally win an FA Cup game. “We’ve always been


“But we got the win


admiration for his sides’ display in the weekend FA Cup win at Pontefract Col­ lieries: “That was a diffi­ cult game, because the


going to be out for Satur­ day.” Sculpher was also full of


league, but it’s always nice to have a break in the cups.”


in wic uiiueuun j.uesaa


Newcastle, the Blues are at home to Ramsbottom United on Tuesday.


Inspired switch Late winner


opposition the Blues were favourites going into the match and overcame the possibility of an upset with a composed and profes­ sional display.


The game was only minutes old when the Blues settled their nerves


picked up the ball on the right wing and his strong run and drilled cross caused real danger. Pontefract’s Tim Hope stuck


half and could have doubled their lead on 15 minutes.


volley but was unlucky to see his shot deflect off a defender and on to the crossbar.


ward and an almighty goalmouth scramble nearly provided a two- goal cushion.


keeper somehow managed to block shots from Neil Spencer, Cryer and


Pontefract’s defence and goal­


back post and Lee Cryer rose well to head the ball back across goal. Simon Garner hit a first time


A free kick was floated to the Clitheroe continued to push for­


and that of the large away support with an early goal. Winger Chris Whittingham


out a leg to clear the ball but watched in horror as it spun off him and into his own goal.


Clitheroe controlled the opening


Pontefract Collieries............ 0 Clilheroe...............................2 A GOAL in the opening few min­ utes and an inspired second half substitution ensured that Clitheroe won an FA Cup tie for the first time in three years. Playing against lower league


Paul Stansfield as the Blues were once again denied. Clitheroe goalkeeper Kris


action with a couple of free kicks before the interval. Firstly he saved well from


Jonathan Leigh and then Mark Whitehouse hit a free kick from a similar position. This time Richens was beaten


but was relieved to see the ball can­ non back off the underside of the crossbar and away from danger. The home side battled bravely in the second half and the play


became slightly scrappy as neither team dominated. A superb substitution though on


68 minutes secured the victory for Clitheroe.


duced and seconds later, with his very first touch he intelligently turned his marker and fired a low shot past the home goalkeeper. With a two-goal lead Clitheroe


Striker Gary Jackson was intro­


were able to relax and further chances arrived for them. Richens made a superb point


but this time a defender blocked his shot.


Jones to hit the post with a long- range effort as Clitheroe ended the game in the ascendancy and as deserving winners.


There was still time for Jason


blank save, and the clearance from defence found John Paul Fagan. Jackson met his run and cross,


Squires G a t e ...........................0 Clitheroe.............................. i


Richens was a virtual spectator for the first half, but was called into


the left hand side for the Blues and as early as the 10th minute he saw a typical run and shot go just wide of the post. Hart again came close with two


identical opportunities from set plays.


A corner kick on the right from


matched by a quality cross to Lee Cryer. His header back to Hart was met with a ferocious shot that was deflected wide for a comer. The second half was a scrappy affair as the Blues continued to '


scoring just before half time. Simon Garner chased back in to his own half and superbly dispos­ sessed his opposite number and came away with the ball. His run down the left was


Jason Jones was drifted to the near post and Hart’s flicked header was sent agonisingly wide of the far post on both 23 and 32 minutes. Clitheroe nearly opened the


chances throughout the game but could never apply the finishing touch in front of goal. Barrie Hart was a danger down


their best, but must be given credit for their work rate and effort that culminated in another winning performance. Clitheroe created the better


A LATE Chris Whittingham goal ensured the Blues maintained their 100% winning start to the season with this hard fought victory. In truth Clitheroe were never at


midfield for Clitheroe and Hart continued to look a danger down the left as Squires Gate looked to settle for a point. Stansfield himself came close to


inside and beat his marker to set up space for an effort at goal. A sweet first time shot went across the goalkeeper and nestled


and with just six minutes left on the clock Clitheroe were quite happy to play out time and collect another valuable victory.


• Midfielder. Neil Reynolds has joined Second Division outfit Colne on a month’s loan. Reynolds has been out of action for 18 months having undergone a cruci­ ate ligament replacement and needs match action to regain full fitness.


Andy Alston


Clitheroe a long ball forward found Whittingham at the right hand edge of the penalty area. He somehow managed to cut


into the far corner of the goal­ mouth. The relief was clear for all to see


scoring but saw his curling shot pushed over by the keeper. With time running out for


was raised when Jones was per­ haps lucky not to see red for a two footed challenge, and then the home side’s Roberts was also fortu­ nate to stay on after pushing Whittingham in the face. Paul Stansfield probed from


push for an opening. The temperature of the game


our games so far, it does give us the opportunity to have a minor blip and still be up there instead of play­ ing catch-up.” Following their trip to


well, and it is always nice to be up at the top end at this stage of the season. “And having won all of


home record, and have made a good start this sea­ son already. “But we’re up there as


always in the top three or four every season, and it will be another tough one. “They’ve got a very good


hosts always in the end-of- season shake-up. He said: “They are


Blues boss, another tough game lies ahead, with their


100% record to Stafford­ shire on Saturday, to take on Newcastle Town. And according to the


Clitheroe take their


'pnV, Saturday ; ) saw. Gli theroe.'mo vein to , the next round of'thej ~JIACtip L


A POLISHED display,


r.'IAlthbugh'the prize) money) for .this year’s) icompetitiomhas :been-


saway with a'cheque for •’fitooo:.


; reduced, it;stilLhelps [•provide a boost for the .club.- >


)asThe\evehtual win( hers oLthis year’s com-'


• petitipn;will, collect £2 million.


Albany Northern League and * should provide a tough test for Clitheroe. >


are unlikely to grace, the Millennium Stadi-' um: next May,' every round won will provide awelcome cash boost. , The’>next round, which is played a'week) onSaturday-will see ■Glitheroei entertain Brandon United.' ■ • (S; Brandon play in the


’ Although ,the Blues


! siThe Blues have had Various, highs and lows


the,Blues out of: the FA'Vase, biit Glitheroe did beat Bedlington •Terriers last year, v It's, back,to league


action thisVweekend with a tricky trip to Newcastle Town.


.This is followed by a home game next Tues­


;;


day againstRamsbot- tom)United.' - , Bothgameswillbe tough as the' Blues aim ; ‘.to build on'their. excel­


lent,start to the scar son.,,


,


the; reserves: a t ; Shaw--) bridge as they enter­ tain Daisy Hill.


ling to.Newcastle on- Saturday can watch'


Anyone not travel)-),


vWThe’riew. floodlights; are up and in full use)


•now-at ;the ground)) having'; m a d e th e ir debut last-week in the;


.game against Bacup' Borough. -


f They certainly seemed,■-.to :- be- .an’


'see thecasino hit town; :; ;;The club are holding aCasinoNightinthe clubhouse, which will),


elub are'now. waiting) -fqr.’th e official lux reading to be taken.,!, \ '-This Saturday, will)


•improvement on the previous lights and the


•include,nav roulette i .wheel, and, blackjack ,• ■■stable;*'Tickets; a r e ) (priced at :£10 and th is : . •includes free gambling ■ chips.


' i


attendance on Satur­ day night.’' , - '


.;)Andy Alston


SPORT EXTRA


All the cricket news,


bowls round up and latest league tables and fixtures are on page 39


Comprehensive round-up of Ribble Valley sport on page 18


SPORTS DESK


Phone the sports desk: 01282426161


Fax the sports desk: 01282439863


SUMMER SCHOOL: Members of Kibble Valley Netball Club receive coaching at Stbnyhurst College. (G280803/4) Action-packed week of sporting fun


SAINT Mary's College, Stony hurst, played host to three action packed days of sporting fun last week as the Ribble Valley Net- ball Club held it's annual residential summer school. The 85 girls.in atten­


dance received a high standard of coaching aimed at developing net- ball ability in a fun and relaxed way.


' 1


The head coach was Anne Newell who has


the girls to swim, play rounders and football, or


es who have played for Lancashire and who have experienced netball at a high level here and abroad. There was also time for


played for the national team. She was aided by coach­


minated in a junior and senior tournament. These were fiercely contested


evening the weather was good and the college laid on a barbecue. This was followed by the girls enter­ taining everyone with music, dancing and acro­ batics. The last afternoon cul­


just enjoy a quiet time. On the Wednesday


Thompson, reported how successful and enjoyable the summer school had


certificates, shooting awards and individual prizes by each coach were presented. Chairperson Sara


with medals for the win­ ning teams given out at the closing presentation to the successful teams. At the presentation,


too pleased with the score of the staff verses the older girls match that took place.


■


great fun as they were enquiring into next year's event as they were leaving.


The girls obviously had


l8We||Terrace.Cllth'eroc,BB7 2AP,Sagar Insurance are members of the General Insurance Standards Council. : :


been for all involved. The coaches felt that the girls had really benefited and improved. However, they .were not


Annual Premium £390 h £434 £456 ^ ? S " ? ^ N C D ; F 0rdfFocus 1.6 LX, 1999; Comprehensive, Pleasure Use; One Driver only; BB7 postcode.


■turn out' at, the recent Chairman’s Barbecue: let’s hope fora similar


•Following v a good>


against teams from tha t league,' with Whitley-Bay knocking


Terry Lillie Peler Sleep Little sets new


garth turned out to be a fruitful one, as they made the journey home with the full seven points and a nine-wicket win. After winning the toss


bons could be placed on the Ribblesdale League trophy, there was still a job to do at Earby on Saturday. Their trip to the Apple-


home to Great Harwood is now just another game, with Read 16 points ahead of the Cliffe Park outfit. But before the Read rib­


tic afternoon for the defending champions, who have dominated this season from the outset. And Saturday’s finale at


the 28 run he needed to break the 1000-run mark for the campaign, while Terry Little achieved the best amateur batting record in the clubs history during his knock of 85. All in all, it was a fantas­


sons to celebrate, as they made it a hat-trick of tri­ umphs. Peter Sleep clocked up


ren Eastham’s side claimed their first back-to-back title since the heady days of the early 1970s. Read also had other rea­


rivals Clitheroe, in front of the Whalley Road faithful, finally added the Senior League title to their Rams­ bottom Cup triumph two weeks earlier. And it also meant War­


READ finally clinched their first Ribblesdale League and Cup double in 28 years on Sunday. Victory against local


record as Read are crowned


Hodge (14), Andrew Jag- gers (0) and Paul Tilbury (2) all fell to Eastham, as he rattled through the mid­ dle order.


the toss at Whalley Road and inserted Read, Little strode to the crease needing 80 to break the club’s ama­ teur batting record of 794. And the batsmen,


Marsh (34) and Sleep (30) saw them home, with Read going in Sunday’s clash with Clitheroe 14 points clear of Great Harwood with two games to go. After Clitheroe had won


he found Proud off the bowling of Jaggers. Fellow opener Nick


for 115, which would never prove a high enough target for the reigning champions to chase. Little was the only man out, as he made 41 before


baton and had Andrew Rushton caught by East­ ham for three, and Derek Proud claimed by Craig Walton for 11, sandwiching Eastham’s capture of Pete Bairstow for a duck. That saw Earby skittled


Sleep then took up the


opposite number Steven Crook made just 16 before he holed out to Sleep off Eastham - the first of six wickets for the Read skipper. Chris Walton (14), Nigel


and inserting their hosts, Read removed both open­ ers, with Sam Munns bowled by Oliver Newby for 10, and Matthew Nut­ ter caught by Newby off paid man Sleep for nine. Dangerman and Sleep’s


Little and Sleep, Read ended their innings on 206- 6, and began their reply well with the removal of the top four Clitheroe bats­ men almost instantly. Professional Mark Gille­


Matthew Coulter (0) and Paul Gaskell (1) didn’t last long, with only Andy Burns making any suffi­ cient headway. But once he had fallen to


spie was caught by Liam Woodvine off Newby for 16, while skipper Neil Bolton was bowled by Sleep for 22. Simon Bishop (6),


Sleep for 39, the innings ’ was virtually over, as the


at home to second placed Great Harwood on Satur­ day, safe in the knowledge that they have their league and cup double safe.


bat first and were soon in trouble as Bowness took an early wicket, caught behind by stand in skipper Mcken- na.


under constant pressure and saw the Chatburn Road side home to victory by a com­ fortable margin.


Bowness and Dent to enter the fray in search of the win­ ning 13 runs. The pair battled very well


to a steady s ta rt, before McKenna (20) upped the tempo and the pairing of Nuttall and Stinson com­ bined at the crease to push the score along. I t was then the turn of


another wicket, again from some fine fielding for North­ ern to finish on a respectable 254. In reply, Clitheroe got off


work and took the second- wicket thanks to a fine catch by Plant on the boundary edge. The local side then took


Stinson kept up the good


CLITHEROE Cricket Club's under 11A team have won the league with one game to go thanks to an eight-wicket victory away at Blackburn Northern. The home side elected to


Clitheroe’s title


(1-34) taking the only wick­ et.


ed to victory finishing on 87- 1 with Russell Braithwaite


were bowled out for 84 with only Ted Topham (20) and John Reynolds (24) reaching double figures. In reply, Cononley coast­


tomorrow with the Clitheroe side taking on Ribble Valley rivals Read in the cup final. The game starts at 5-30 p.m. at Chatburn Road and it promises to be a very close encounter. , • CHATBURN seconds slipped to a disappointing nine-wicket defeat against Cononley. The locals batted first and


a barbecue and disco that was attended by all the Under 11 players and their parents to celebrate what has been an excellent season. The season will finally end


with next year's team just managing to beat the team of older and younger play­ ers. The game was followed by


son was against the B team in a game that was played out by mixing the two sides to ensure a good match. And it did not disappoint,


The last match of the sea­


■ H crowned Clithcroe and District Cricket League Champions with a three wicket victory over nearest rivals Catholic SC Taking to the crease first


Catholic scored 91-9, a total that Chipping passed with three balls to spare. The Catholics were des­


tined to be always the bridesmaids and never the bride this season after los­ ing heavily to Riverside in the league cup final. Riverside scored a


tremendous 244-7) with ‘ Peter Blackman and Alis­ tair Marsh both reaching 50


and Paul Spencer being dis­ missed on 49.


In reply a depleted


Catholic were bowled out for a disappointing 109.


New p i a n o


showroom now open


CHIPPING A were


hosts eventually bowled their rivals out for 152 - still 54 runs short of their target. Read finish their season


he followed Little in knock­ ing off his required runs, ending the afternoon on 1,027 after a solid 55. Thanks in the main to


(6) both fell clean-bowled to Andrew Ainsworth, with Sleep knowing he needed 28 runs to reach 1,000 for the campaign. And in true Sleep style,


regarded by many as the best amateur in the league, duly achieved his mile­ stone, ending the day with 85 and exactly 800 runs for the season with still one game to go. Marsh (19) and Walton


and also walk! •. #!


3


ini dndxan] hart Reidy's Home of Music


/- in Penny st. Blackburn 01254 26S 212


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