As at the start of last season Cleckheaton faced Firwood Waterloo in their opening game. This time the fixture was at Moorend but unfortunately the result was still the same. 'Loo' finished in the top four at the end of last year’s campaign and are highly tipped to finish there again. The visitors had joint attributes of power in the pack and a sleek speedy back line which would present a challenge to Cleckheaton throughout the game.

Liam Reeve, who was to have a perfect day with the kicking tee, opened Waterloo's account on 10 minutes with a penalty goal. Loo then demonstrated their forward power when a lineout 5 m from Cleckheaton's line was caught and driven over by the visitors pack, with Max Scofic claiming the touchdown. Reeve goaled and Waterloo had gone into a 10-0 lead. Freeman Payne went in for the first of his hat-trick of tries a few minutes later after Cleckheaton's back line were opened up by slick passing. Reeve again added the extras. Michael Piper got Cleckheaton on the score sheet with a penalty goal and then Martin Woodhead opened the home side’s try account after good forward work from Niall Jackson and Richard Piper and good handling from Craig Blackburn and Mark Greenwood gave the winger an opportunity to step inside the cover defence for a well taken try. Piper converted. Cleckheaton then had their best period of play and looked certain to score again. However it was not be and unfortunately Waterloo broke from deep within their own half and Freeman Payne was on hand to finish a flowing move and give Waterloo a 27-10 lead at the break

Cleckheaton still had some hope of getting something out of the game but that was put to rest when second row Rob Bramhall went in for another Waterloo try shortly after the re-start. Reeve again converted. The best try of the game came next, when Waterloo broke down their left and despite a couple of valiant tackle attempts from Craig Blackburn and Mark Greenwood, who got off the floor and tackled again in the same move, Payne showed good support work and went in for his hat-trick to take his side to a lead of 41-10. One bright note for Cleckheaton was that powerful winger, Sam Walker, went in for a try on his debut after good hands across the back line. Matt Crow finished Waterloo’s scoring for the afternoon and Reeve converted but Cleckheaton were to have the last word and the consolation of a penalty try which Piper converted to give a final score of 48-22.

This was a tough opening encounter for Cleckheaton but one that showed some sparks of encouragement including a fine performance from youngster Luke Pearson, who picked up the man of the match award for his efforts. There is plenty for coaches Scott Benton and Gordon Piper to build on and the team will take this forward into the rest of the season starting with the game away at Huddersfield YMCA next Saturday.

A collection was taken round the ground to bolster the fund raising efforst of David Bentley, Emma Hanson and Nea Kerrigan, who are running, walking and even climbing Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation in memory of dear departed former President, Alan Bentley. The collection raised £150 and we thank all that donated for their generosity.