Cleckheaton 46 - 0 Hartlepool

The best performance of the season so far saw the Moorend side extend their unbeaten run to 4 matches, with this 8 try demolition of league strugglers Hartlepool.

With Matt Piper, after a week off with illness, reunited with assistant coach Pete Murphy in the centre, penetration was never going to be an issue. The late withdrawal of club captain Paul Turner with a back problem allowed a chance to start for the improving Danny Furness at prop.

Cleck were quick to seize the upper hand at the set piece and convert that pressure into good field position, early raids on the visitors line were thwarted by some determined defence. However it seemed only a matter of time before this Cleckheaton side would unlock the visitors. Playing a simple, direct, balanced style of rugby and benefiting from a training session focused on executing chances, Cleck’s pack played on the front foot, Danny Furness to the fore, allowing the impressive Oli Depledge to provide a constant flow of quality ball to the threequarters. One such delivery enabled stand-off Iain Gordon to work a neat wrap around with Pete Murphy and feed the back three, with both wingers handling the ball before full back Ross Hayden was put in for his first of the afternoon.

This marked the start of some quite bristling rugby not see at Moorend for some years. Inevitably Rich Piper was next to score from a well set up catch and drive, then Hayden picked up his brace this time on the opposite wing, again fed by selfless wingman James Wilson. The half was rounded off in fine style when a move started well inside Cleck’s own half with one of several turnovers by hard working No7 Mark Sergeant. The play went through several phases and with Rich Piper tackled 10m short he managed to off load to brother Matt to score nearer the posts, allowing Iain Gordon to add the extras, Cleck went in 22-0 at the break.

A stark warning from head coach David Harrison not to switch off and to continue to play with balance and an aggressive directness was apparently well heeded.

So often the provider this season it was the turn of exiting winger James Wilson to extend Cleckheaton’s lead, his ability to recognise and track players making breaks saw him receive a sublime pass out of the tackle from Mitch Ashworth to step two defenders and race to the line for a fine try.

With all three subs now brought into the fold, Cleck seemed to increase the intensity yet further, quick tries followed Iain Gordon started and finished a move to touch down wide out, then back rower Mark Sergeant capped a fine Man of the Match performance with a 35yrd sprint to beat 3 Hartlepool defenders to the line, Gordon Converting. Replacement wing Joe Massarella rounded off a fine day for the Moorend side with another well taken multi-phased converted try.