Clitheroe 8 Pendle 35

Pendle were back on the road as they were involved in their second derby in as many weeks, this time against Clitheroe RUFC. And it was the team from the Nelson side of the hill who came out on top and claimed back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Both sides had early chances before Andy Duncan slotted over a penalty to put Pendle ahead.

Shaye McCullough crossed the Clitheroe try line and Dutton was agin on target with the conversion and Pendle led 10-0.

Clitheroe reduced the arrears with a penalty but the rest of the half was all about Pendle and Tarquinn Hempstead-Smith scored his first try of the season with Dutton adding the extras.

McCullough crossed again and Pendle led 22-3 at the interval.

Clitheroe battled back and crossed the line but a missed conversion left the score 22-8 and Pendle were forced into tough defence.

They got some breathing space thanks to another penalty and that took the wind out of Clitheroe’s sails.

And Pendle scored their fourth try of the game, meaning an extra bonus point. The score came when Hempstead-Smith broke and fed Rowland, who scored a simple try to allow Dutton to convert.