Cleckheaton 31 - 0 West Hartlepool

On a cheerless day and following a poor display at Stockport, it was going to take something special to pacify the Cleckheaton supporters last Saturday at Moorend. Although the overall performance could hardly be described as special, there were many positive aspects which can only improve things for the long dark months to come. The display of Ross Hayden playing in probably his best position at full back, can be highlighted as the performance of the day. Skipper Craig Rika had his best game of the season, Ian Gresser showed that he is getting fitter with every game and the first "clean sheet" of the season came as a massive bonus.

With Duckett, South and Lauriston all unavailable through injury or holiday the back line was once more re-constructed with Coach Trivella continuing his role at stand off, Hayden moving to full back and Craig Blackburn and Marlon Miller filling the wing positions. Edu Hanekom returned to the back row following injury and Lance Hamilton reverted to the bench.

West hardly had time to adjust to the playing conditions before a Waisele Sovatabua midfield break, carried on by Tinus Venter was finished off by Ross Hayden who converted his own try. Cleck were dominating possession from all phases and West were unable to leave their own half in the first quarter. In the 16th minute the forwards gained a five metre attacking scrum and from the resulting pick up the ball was popped up to prop Andrew Piper who drove over for his first senior try for the club. Ross Hayden added the extras.

Stand off Paul Moss had a chance to reduce the deficit for West in the 20th minute but his forty metre penalty attempt went wide. Cleckheaton continued their stranglehold on the game and on two occasions lost the ball in prime scoring positions. On the half hour mark Matthew Piper was given a yellow card for a challenge on his opposite number and just before the break Ross Hayden struck a penalty effort between the uprights to increase the lead to 17 points.

The referee maintained his no nonsense approach to the game and this time sent West's second row Iain Robinson to the sin-bin for questioning a decision. To be fair both sides were guilty of too much chat and with handling mistakes and missed tackles becoming prevalent, the game somewhat lost it's stucture for a while. It was likely to be a mistake which provided the next score and in the 57th minute Ross Hayden picked up a dropped pass in open play and sprinted to the line from 50 metres out for his second try of the game. The try was once more converted.

West were now a spent force and despite being down to 14 men when Waisele Sovatabua was sinbinned for preventing release of the ball, Cleck extended their lead when substitute Lance Hamilton supported a clean break initially by hooker Bossy Muller to score wide out. Ross Hayden converted the try giving him another 100% record for attempts at goal.

This was a very important and timely win for Cleckheaton and one which reflected the massive benefit of pace on a match. Ross Hayden caused panic in the visitors' defence every time he touched the ball; his slight build belying his skill to side-step and break the line with his speed off the mark. The forwards were generally in control and Coach Trivella made several telling tackles in midfield to remind the rest of his team that defence wins matches. A big confidence boost as they travel to bottom of the table West Park on Saturday before a hard run in to Christmas with games against Westoe, Morley and Birkenhead Park.