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BLUES
WINNER -PAGE 70
Blues show potential to be promotion force
By Adrian Capstick
CLITHEROE have shown the potential to be a promotion chasing side next season. Despite losing at top-three
sides Eastwood Town and Cammell Laird over the week, both clubs’ management felt the Blues could have been a force this season with their cur rent team. Co-manager Neil Reynolds
was delighted with both per formances, despite the defeats, and looks forward to Saturday’s home game against Helper Town. Reynolds said: "It’s the same old story, the performances .; have been great, we’re just not
'V getting the points. The last- minute goal at Eastwood Town and the penalties on Tuesday were a real kick in the teeth. "I just hope people can see
that we are putting in the per formances and will stick with us. Both Eastwood and Cam mell Laird were very compli mentary of us, and said they would have liked to have seen where we would be now if we’d started the season with this side.” Reynolds added: "From what I’ve heard Helper don't play too
f,L“S
much football and like to get it back to front as quickly as pos sible, just like Eastwood did last week. "We may have to alter the
way we defend and adapt better to how these teams play, as we don't want to be caught out with a late goal again, but we won’t change our style." Looking a t Tuesday's 2-0
defeat in Birkenhead the Blues boss took many positives out of the game: "When you think Cammell are second in the table you wouldn't think we’re 18 places worse than them as they didn't get to close to scoring a goal in open play. "We haven’t been overawed
by anyone and then to concede the way we have is disappoint ing. I’ve no qualms about the first penalty as Anthony went to ground when he should have stayed on his feet, but the sec ond was for nothing. "In the end we’ve hit the bar,
conceded two penalties, domi nated open play and had a penalty turned down that even the Cammell Laird boss agreed was a spot kick!" A trip to Colwyn Bay on
Tuesday night follows, and Reynolds feels his side has a favourable run in after that:
"We’re making strides and I'm sure we will continue to give a good account of ourselves. We've nothing to fear as we've proved we can plaj’:" Chris Ward should return on
Saturday as should John Osbourne who missed Tuesday due to flu. Only co-manager Pete Smith is still out injured. Camrnell Laird.....................2 CUtheroe FC .........................0 TWO Jamie McGuire penalties proved the difference between Clitheroe and Cammell Laird on Tuesday night. Yet again the Blues enjoyed a
rake of chances in open play, while it was from the spot where their opponents did the dam age. There were no arguments
about the first penalty in the 10th minute when Anthony Daniels was pulled up for a heavy tackle from behind, which McGuire tucked into the bottom left-hand corner. But the home side’s second
strike 20 minutes from time was given for little more than Simon Garner jostling and shielding the ball. McGuire again tucked his shot low inside the left hand post. I t had looked hopeful when Jason Jones struck the Laird
crossbar in the first minute, and after the home side took the lead, the Blues had their own shout for a penalty waved away when Will Exton went down in the box, followed by a blocked Joel Byrom shot. Apart from the odd defensive
mistake, Clitheroe matched their second-place hosts' close control game and forced by far the most opportunities on goal. Crosses and corners were
thrown into the box, and Exton and Kris Matthews both had headers saved before the former had the best opportunity of the game in the second half. Ryan Fisher released the
Clitheroe striker, and his pace carried him past the Cammell defence, only to see him spurn his shot wide of the mark. Cammell hit the bar before
they were awarded a second spot kick, and Clitheroe were left to wonder what they have to do to score in games th a t they dominate. Clitheroe: Mann, Daniels,
Garner, Matthews, Anderson, Fisher, Sargeson (Heslop), Jones, Exton, Byrom, P. Oshourne (Reid). Not used: Reynolds.
Champions name professional By Adrian Capstick
CLITHEROE Cricket Club has secured world-class open ing batsman Michael Papps as their professional for the 2007 Veka Ribblesdale League sea son, after sending his contract around the world and back The 27-year-old New
Zealander completed terms this week with the treble win ners, a fte r what proved a
>• lengthy process in securing his signature. Due to the right-hand bats
man being centrally contracted to the New Zealand team on a 12-month basis, members at Clitheroe CC had to first send his contract to New Zealand, where he is currently starring for his state side Canterbury, and then wait for it to be for warded to the national team's cricket manager, who is out in the West Indies at the ICC
I Mark Papps
World Cup. However, judging by his
current form in New Zealand's domestic league with state side Canterbury Wizards, the wait looks worthwhile. Papps has proven the high
est run scorer in the Sta te Championship this season by some way. He has averaged 113.8 runs from six first-class four day championship games to lead the averages. His final game, the s ta te
im M
championship final against Northern Knights, s ta r ts today and culminates on Mon day, before he looks to link up with Clitheroe for the start of the season next month. His international debut
came in the one-day series against South Africa in 2003- 04, when he solved New Zealand's long-running search for a capable opening batsman to partner Stephen Fleming. Papps impressed in th a t
series and was duly selected for the corresponding test series. He has played in England before, as in 2004 he opened against England at Heading- ley in the second Test, and
scored a battling 86 before exiting leg before to Andrew Flintoff with a broken finger. Although short in stature,
Papps impressed with his abil ity to manipulate the bowlers, and virtually demanded inclu sion on the basis of his domes tic form that year. He racked up more than
1,000 runs for Canterbury that season with an ability to convert length balls into half volleys, something he has replicated again this season. In all, the number two bats
man has played in six Tests, with his las t on a tour of South Africa in May 2006. And the New Zealander
should bring fexibility to the Clitheroe team too, as aside from also being able to keep wicket, club treasurer and for mer cap ta in Neil Bolton expects him to be a more than useful bowler at club level.
SPONSOR: Helen Colley hacks Ribbic Valiev Nciball Club. SR120307/1
Netball club’s sponsor booster
CLITHEROE entrepreneur Helen Colley, managing director of Farmhouse Fare, has given her full support to Ribble Valley Netball Club by becoming its new main sponsor. The Clitheroe-based club,
which is celebrating its 10th anniversary year, boasts over 200 members aged six to 18. Mrs Colley is a great believer
in helping local charities and young people by giving-some- thing back to the local commu nity and club chairman Michael
C L IT H E R O E FC^ V
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:’=;Salurday, March 24lh, 3 V
Colivyn B.v}, awoj - vTucsday, March 27lh, 7-15 p.ra 9 770963 365225
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www.lancashireperformance.co.uk As seen on IW Connelly is very grateful. He said: "It is a great honour
to have someone of Helen's stature showing an interest in the club.
like to say a big thank you. The money will be put to good use as the girls were looking into get ting a new kit in the spring." Mr Connelly is pictured
receiving a cheque from Mrs Colley watched by a handful of the girls who will benefit from the generous sponsorship.
9770963365225 12 ; "The girls and the club would . ^
TOBIES SEAL POOL
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