Darlington 13 - 23 Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton finally laid their away day hoodoo to rest by beating a competitive and combative Darlington team, scoring three tries to two in the process. To be precise it was almost a year ago on December 1st 2007 when Cleckheaton last experienced the sweet taste of success away from home at Liverpool St Helens with a 20-14 victory. On that day the victory was hard earned but hardly deserved; on Saturday it was deserved.

Eight further team and positional changes were made and this was matched by Darlington's five changes from the previous week's cup encounter.

As last week Cleckheaton started brightly and in the eighth minute Ross Hayden rewarded their enterprise with a penalty. The visitors appeared to be in the mood for the battle but the Midland Group referee was determined to impose himself on proceedings and brandished yellow cards to both Tom Denton and David Malton both within the space of two minutes. The nature of the offences was unclear but the referee's intentions were obvious. The depleted Cleckheaton ranks fought an heroic rearguard action in the face of a number of Darlington attacks. However, it wasn't until the last minute of the second ten minute period that the home side took advantage and secured the lead when second row Chris Paleschi sprinted over for a try from twenty five metres. The conversion was missed but Darlington had posted a warning.

Cleckheaton made changes at half time and gambled on an all out attacking approach. Winger Marlon Miller regained the lead for Cleckheaton with a try before Darlington levelled matters with a penalty by full back Alex Lineton.

In the 56th minute Ross Hayden eased Cleckheaton into the lead with his second penalty but their superiority was now taking shape as the home side started to fall off tackles in the face of growing pressure. Tinus Venter powered over for a try on the hour mark to which Ross Hayden added the extras. Five minutes later, Cleckheaton's best forward Ben Wade muscled his way over for his fifth try of the season and Cleck's third of the match. Ross Hayden missed the conversion. Much to their credit Darlington intensified their efforts in a last ditch attempt to reduce the deficit. With four minutes to go their potent attacking weapon, prop Dave Tunstead smashed through the Cleckheaton defence for a good try, but too little too late as Cleckheaton gained revenge for their Intermediate Cup exit.

A vital two league points pushes Cleckheaton a further place up the league ladder and further away from the bottom two which constitutes the relegation zone this season. Although the performance was not one to unequivocally believe that the corner has been turned, there were many positives from several individual performances. Dominic Brambani continues to show rare talent at stand off despite him only having played a handful of Union games in his life. He will be missed when he returns to Rugby League in the new year. The Piper trio are learning with every game especially Andrew who has stepped up two leagues to test his abilities against better class opposition. They will only become better players. Ross Hayden and Ben Wade are the season's pick of the backs and forwards respectively and both have played every game and achieved a consistent level of performance in each game. These are the performances to which all team members should aspire.

On a personal note, if ever the spirit of rugby prevailed it is at Darlington Rugby Club. Not only do they greet you as old friends, they also make you feel welcome and make the whole match day experience a joy win or lose. This is what rugby should be about but alas often isn't. Our grateful thanks must go to Philip Inman as ever for his close attention and kind words, to Bob Jackson for his anecdotes and to Bill Robson who not only bought most of us a coffee but also bought our beer -wonderful.