Cleck Progress Through the 1st Round of the Yorkshire Cup

This Saturday marks the first game for Cleckheaton in a league last visited eight years ago.Ironically relegation into the regional leagues means more travelling with four visits to the Newcastle area one to Carlisle,one to Durham and two trips to Hartlepool.The local derbies will be contested against Wheatley Hills,Driffield and eagerly awaited battles against Old Brodleians,Old Crossleyans and Pontefract. Instead of a relegation hangover the club has refocused,set achievable targets and the coaching staff have looked at the existing squad with an aim to improve their skill levels,discipline and execution of the basics.Paul Turner continues as Captain with the constantly improving and maturing Richard Piper pack leader.Matt Burrows and Lance Hamilton are the only 1st team regulars to have left for pastures new.On a more positive note the club welcomes new signings in Dave Freeman,a 6'7" lock from Heath and the Royal Navy and a welcome homecoming for former players Grant Turton and Tom Brook.All are likely to feature regularly in the 1st XV and have shown up well in pre season.Prop Danny Furniss,having previously played for the 3rd XV but also in the senior teams at National League club Huddersfield has also shown distinct promise and along with the experienced Jarrad Toulson and the improving James Wilson will be pushing for a 1st team place.
Carl Mason and Dominic Castle will play when business and family commitments allow and Olly Depledge,Matt Piper,Ed Chapellow,Mitch Ashworth,Craig Blackburn,Nathan Clayton and Matt Beasty should get plenty of chances to show their paces in the senior team alongside last season regulars in Andy Piper and Steve Worsley.
Peter Murphy,Iain Gordon, skipper Turner,Ryan Piercy and Ross Hayden will be the pivotal players and the key decision makers and the players the youngsters will look towards for an example and leadership.Joe Massarella is likely to leave for Italy where he is hoping to get the chance to play senior level rugby,but he will play prior to his departure.
Pre season has been worthwhile with a very good workout against Bradford and Bingley with 41 players taking an active part in two games,the need to assess 'partnerships' necessitating regular replacements,being the priority over results.
A squad of 22 players travelled to Pontefract last Thursday evening to contest the 1st round of the Yorkshire Cup.An excellent victory by 28-24 after extra time under the far from bright Pontefract floodlights has provided an insight into the potential strength of sides at this level.Tries from Ryan Piercy,James Wilson and Iain Gordon,two conversions and three penalties from Iain Gordon meant a deseved win for a squad all of whom were given game time.
The club has announced that kick off times for September,October,March and April will be 3pm and November,December,January and February 2-15 except for the home games against Old Crossleyans on the 13th of November and against Old Brodleians on the 19th of February which will have 3pm starts to facilitate major pre match proceedings for the two local derbies.
West Hartlepool visit Moorend on Saturday in what is sure to be a hard fought encounter.Kick off is 3pm.All four senior teams are hoping to begin their season in earnest with the 2nd team under the guidance of former 1st team captain and the proud father of the Piper boys, Gordon,sure to have a beneficial effect.