CLECKHEATON 17 - 30 SHEFFIELD TIGERS

With Cleckheaton giving debuts to eight players, four of whom played their rugby at Tigers last season, this was always going to be a competitive encounter. Moreover, with so many new additions it was obviously going to take time for the various combinations to develop into a fully working unit.

The reality was just that. The early signs were good when Ross Hayden opened his season’s account with a penalty, but Tigers levelled matters after 14 minutes when centre Tom Outram made Cleck pay for their indiscipline by kicking a penalty; new No 8 Edu Hanekom being given a yellow card for killing the ball. Both sides were looking to open the game up but it became clear that Tigers had a more stable platform up front with veterans Bunting and Toews dictating matters in the front row. Allied to that was the man who pulled the strings-Dave Scully playing initially at stand off and later in his more accustomed role of scrum half, doing the simple things well.

In the 16th minute Cleck made ground into the Tigers half and quick release of the ball gave Michael Piper the opportunity to show his winger’s instinct. He took the ball at pace before rounding full back Phil Dale to score a good try wide out. Hayden converted and the home crowd had grounds for optimism.

Lance Hamilton became the second of the back row unit to be shown a yellow card in the 26th minute, when the referee decided he too had killed the ball and denied Tigers a scoring opportunity. Once more Tigers took advantage when back row Barratt drove over for a try which was converted by Outram. The visitors were now dictating things up front and further tries came from Gareth Morley and hooker Dave Price before half time. Outram converted both tries and kicked a penalty to reflect Tigers superiority at the break.

Cleckheaton’s forwards had looked strangely subdued being unable to gain parity of possession. This meant that the backs were playing on the back foot and under pressure.

Outram extended the visitors lead just after the hour mark with a penalty but soon after came Cleck’s best moment of the game. Good inter passing took play into the Tigers half, Ross Hayden made a decisive break, drew the defence and sent a perfectly timed pass to player coach Doug Trivella who romped over from thirty metres out. Hayden added the extras.

In the 76th minute Ben Wade became the third member of the back row unit to receive a yellow card for apparently killing the ball. To rugby trivia followers an interesting and rare event, to Cleckheaton’s coaching staff a problem to sort out.

A disappointing start but there were glimpses of promise of better days ahead. Full back Ross Hayden showed more signs of true progress and Ben Wade was combative and aggressive on his debut for the club