Clitheroe donned their boots in anger for the first time in nearly three weeks but only after their Little-moor pitch had passed a morning inspection.

The Maroon and Golds were out to clinch a league double over the Manchester outfit, having won 18-15 back in September.

But Aldwinians came bang in form on the back of seven straight wins and they started the sharper in the opening tussles although Clitheroe were not without their moments – with the back line looking to run the ball through centres Nathan Peel and Chris Waddington.

It was the visitors who struck first with a bizarre score, having missed an easy penalty kick, Clitheroe took the 22 drop out and landed the ball around the 10 metre line only for the catching Aldwinian player to snatch a drop goal that sailed between the sticks.

Clitheroe hit back with the pack working well, second rows Mick Thornber and Richard Edmondson leading the charge while flankers Simon Cowgill and Andrew Rigby working at their usual high work rate to ensure the ball came back on the Clitheroe side.

Eventually, the pressure told and the Maroon and Golds drew level through the trusty boot of Nathan Peel.

Clitheroe continued to apply the pressure, mainly through some fine forward play, and Ben Graves burrowed over to score.

But the visitors hit back immediately with a breakaway try under the posts and the teams went in level 10-10 at the break.

Five minutes after the restart, Aldwinians crossed again against the run of play and then added a penalty to open up a decisive 10 point.