Cleckheaton put in a belligerent, competitive performance before eventually losing out to title chasers Hull.

Three converted tries in a twenty minute spell immediately after half time, effectively decided this match, following a mighty first half by the whole Cleckheaton team giving them an 8-6 lead at the break.

Playing their first competitive match since December 20th, Cleck were first to look dangerous and after 6 minutes their enterprise was rewarded when Ross Hayden kicked a penalty, following a ruck infringement by the Hull hooker. Hull responded positively and fly half James Cameron hit the post with his first penalty effort. Shortly afterwards the visitors were reduced to 14 men when hooker Plevey once more transgressed and the consistent referee carried out his initial warning.

In the 18th minute Cleck gained quick ruck possession, and excellent handling involving all of the backs, created the space on the left wing for Craig Blackburn to sprint over for an outstanding score. Ross Hayden missed the conversion but Cleck had posted a warning to the promotion contenders.

James Cameron reduced the arrears in the 25th minute when his penalty attempt sailed between the uprights. Cleck had an immediate chance to extend the lead but Ross Hayden was short with a penalty; an inevitable consequence of the sticky underfoot conditions. Worse was to follow as the home side defended their line. Scrum half Matt Piper was penalised for interference on the ground and was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Shortly afterwards and in the fifth minute of injury time at the break James Cameron made Cleck pay with his second successful penalty.

With Piper still banished from the field of play, Hull launched a series of attacks aimed at killing off Cleck's ambitions. Prominent amongst many was Samoan centre Maea David who broke first up tackles to offload to supporting players. Tries in the 42nd and 45th minutes both by outstanding back row Latu Makaffi and both converted by James Cameron transformed the game. Cleck were now chasing the game and looked to be under the cosh. A further try by full back Guy Martinson in the 58th minute and left winger Ade Wadworth 5 minutes later, killed the game as a contest, but Cleck were not giving up without a fight. Time and again the back row of Lance Hamilton, Edu Hanekom and Richard Piper drove into the opposition and were aggressive in the close exchanges but they couldn't rely on the same back up and support that Hull could.

In the 65th minute Ryan Duckett made ground down the right touchline. As he was tackled he offloaded to wing Marlon Miller who sprinted through a hole in the Hull defence to score a good try. Michael Piper, covering for the injured Ross Hayden who had to leave the field shortly after halftime, missed the conversion.

Hull were not finished and re-asserted their authority on the game when Makaffi completed a personal hat trick of tries in the final minute. A defeat but Cleck had initially continued where they had left off in the last two league games of 2008-belligerent and competitive. This time the opposition was better and did not allow Cleck's early momentum to put them off their game plan.

Once again Tom Lauriston was pick of the backs working hard in both attack and defence and the pack held it's own against a very mobile eight. This result should not be a setback, just a reality check. Hull are promotion contenders and Cleck now have four out of the next five matches against sides below them. These are the games which need to be won-starting at Middlesbrough on Saturday 2-15 kick off.