Cleckheaton 24 - 11 Old Brodleians

The prematch efforts of the numerous Cleckheaton members and players alike in clearing a snowbound Moorend, making conditions playable, were rewarded with this bonus point victory over local rivals Old Brodleians.

Both sides made light of the conditions and combined with a positive referee provided great entertainment for the big derby crowd. Cleckheaton were first to exert pressure and an Iain Gordon penalty effort hit the crossbar. The home forwards continued to drive down the middle of the field, Richard Piper, Ryan Piercy and Ed Chappelow leading the way. Despite the poor coditions Cleck endevoured to play a balanced game with forwards and backs combining well to keep themselves on the front foot and the visitors under considerable pressure. The first breakthrough came when several phases of retained possession were finished off by neat handling from centres Murphy and Matt Piper, allowing full back Ross Hayden to score wide out, Gordon missed the difficult conversion but Cleck had established a 5-0 lead.

Unremitting pressure from Cleckheaton created further chances and in the 26th minute the ball was taken on from a scrum 15m out. As the visitors scrambled their defence, the ball was shifted wide creating space for full back Ross Hayden to sprint over for his 2nd try. Iain Gordon converted.

The visitors' sharp backs were showing glimpses of their ability in the muddy conditions but the home defence were up to the challenge, limiting the visitors to only 3 pts via the boot of former Cleckheaton favourite Oli Akroyd. At the break Cleckheaton led 12 - 3.

After the break a further Akroyd penalty reduced the arrears and the pressure was suddenly on the home side. However, the Cleckheaton forwards' superiority in the close quarter exchanges was creating scoring positions and the games' best forward Richard Piper paved the way for his brother, on as replacement for evergreen prop Neil Gillan, to barrel his way over for an unconverted try in the 68th minute. With the game seemingly in the bag at 17-6, credit goes to Brodleians as they hit back with a Matt Hoyle try 5 minutes from time. Akroyd was wide with the difficult conversion but Cleck's lead was reduced to 6 points and an air of nervousness engulfed the crowd as memories of October's reverse fixture and Brods' injury time victory filled the mind. With time running out and the crowd voicing their appreciation of both sides' endeavours, Ross Hayden turned anxiety into celebration when he made it 2 hatricks in 2 weeks following up a Lee Queeley kick ahead and winning the race for the touchdown.  An excellent try, which brings his personal tally for the season to 18  from 16 games. A touchline conversion by Iain Gordon rounded off a fine display and a welcome return to winning ways.