Wheatley Hills 13 - 25 Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton traveled to Doncaster for this rearranged fixture against Wheatley Hills and ultimately came away with another bonus point win, to strengthen their position at the top of North 1 East.

The home side opened the scoring with a penalty courtesy of Johnny Woodcock but then Cleckheaton hit back with a well worked try. No. 8 Richard Piper picked the ball up from the back of a scrum and made good ground. The ball was spread to the right where Johhno Marshall and Ryan Piercy added to the territorial gain, before coming back along the line to Richard Piper who barged his way over the whitewash, despite the attention of two Wheatley Hills defenders. Ross Hayden added the extras.

Cleckheaton continued to apply the pressure and Matthew Piper crossed when he crashed onto a short ball from Jack Bickerdike. The joy was short lived though as the referee chalked off the score for a forward pass. Cleckheaton did extend their lead to 10-3 shortly afterwards when Hayden converted a penalty.

Cleckheaton's defence and tactical kicking, which has been one of their strengths
all year, was working well and Wheatley had few periods of pressure in Cleckheaton's half. The Moorenders went further in front when a jinking run from Matt Piper advanced play to the edge of Wheatley's 22. The forwards picked up the mantle with two short drives before the ball was spun out to Johnno Marshall who stepped back inside and fed Ross Hayden. Despite a robust challenge, Hayden managed to plant the ball down between his legs before being bundled over the touchline. The conversion attempt hit the post.

Cleckheaton fumbled the ball at the restart and from the ensuing scramble for possession Wheatley were awarded a penalty. Johnny Woodcock duly obliged to pull 3 points back just before the break, cutting Cleckheaton's lead to 15-6.

Cleckheaton began the second period strongly and a clearing kick by Wheatley, from inside their 22, was caught by Michael Piper close to the touchline. With no passing options available the standoff put up a high spiralling bomb. The ball was left to bounce by the Wheatley players and it arced its way back towards Cleckheaton's on running pack. Grant Turton plucked it out of the air and from the subsequent rolling maul, Andy Piper went over for an unconverted try.

Wheatley's best period of the match then followed. For 25 minutes the home side were encamped in their visitors' half. To make matters worse Cleckheaton were reduced to 14 men, when Hills' scrum half was tackled within 10m of taking a quick tap penalty. Despite being a man down, Cleckheaton's defence was manful and held firm against a prolonged onslaught with some very determined tackling from the whole team.

Cleckheaton eventually worked their way over the half way line and a fantastic run from Rob Afoa-Peterson skittled two Wheatley defenders before Mike Piper kicked through and a determined chase resulted in a line out for Cleck around 20m out. Rather than the expected catch and drive, the ball was spread along the backs and James Wilson fed Ross Hayden, who dummied before diving over for Cleckheaton's bonus point try and a 25-6 lead.

Wheatley picked up a consolation try in the last 10 minutes, when a rare defensive lapse allowed centre Jordan Ajimati to power through for a try under the sticks. With the conversion, the scoreboard showed what would be the final score of 25-13 to Cleckheaton.

This was a solid performance against a powerful Wheatley Hills side and Cleckheaton now need to take the momentum into this weekend's game at home against bogey team Northern. The bonus point win was also the perfect way to kick off an evening drink with centre Lee Queeley before the RAF serviceman flies to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty to the country. We wish Lee a safe return at the end of the season.