Beverley 25 - 5 Cleckheaton

Another below par performance from Cleckheaton dropped them into their lowest league position of the season to date-third bottom, and in doing so created the unhappy statistic of a fifth consecutive league defeat. However,the first action suggested a far different outcome when Cleck got off to a flying start when Ross Hayden crossed for an excellent try wide out following good work by David Evans and his outside backs. Unfortunately such excellence was an isolated incident in a display lacking cohesion, discipline or structure.

Beverley hit back with a penalty by scrum half Ian Archibald and then took the lead in the 15th minute with a close range try from No8 John McKay. Archibald converted.
Cleckheaton's Lance Hamilton was sinbinned following a brawl in the 24th minute but to their credit Cleck held out with a display of character to the interval. In first half stoppage time the balance was redressed when Beverley's Gareth Jackson was given 10 minutes.

Early in the second half Beverley stretched their lead to 10 points when prop Cameron went over following a well worked attacking lineout.

Beverley centre Jade Gardiner had caused Cleck big problems all afternoon and in the 64th minute he added a third try after Chris Infield on at scrum half for Archibald, had made a break from a lineout on halfway.

Throughout the game Cleckheaton lacked any sort of lineout possession and Beverley were able to take advantage through their big back row plundering turn over ball. With 5 minutes remaining winger Jamie Gill went over for Beverley's fourth and final try when he took a long pass from Mike Kilgannon to touch down in the corner.

Cleckheaton's Richard Piper was given a yellow card immediately before the final whistle as the visitors fought a losing and frustrating battle against a lack of possession.

It appears difficult to see just where the next win is going to come from. The side as a whole appears to lack both confidence and fitness. No one individual is standing up and setting an example. Having said this the performances of youngsters Olly Depledge, Nathan Clayton and Ed Chappelow were worthy of note as they fought a rearguard action along with newcomer David Evans and the always spikey Lance Hamilton. It is the lack of a whole team performance which is the major problem and even an average side can beat a team which lacks the will to compete at breakdowns and fight for set piece possession.

Saturday sees a chance to provide that performance when 2nd bottom West Park St Helens visit Moorend.3pm kick off.