Cleckheaton recorded their first win of the season last Saturday at home to bottom club Burnage and to add extra cheer they also racked up 7 tries and with it a valuable bonus point. The Moorenders have had a difficult start to this year’s campaign and whilst it is too early in the season to start labeling matches as 'must win' games, it felt very much like this fixture fell into that category for both teams. New centre signing Josh Hall, who made his debut for the club in the second half of the previous week’s trip to Lymm, showed his versatility as he pulled on the stand-off shirt in place of Michael Piper, who became a father earlier that morning. Additional new signing Joey Carley also took up a place on the bench.

Cleckheaton got off to the best possible start with lose head prop, Paul Turner, going in for a try inside the first 5 minutes after good work from the pack. Josh Hall added the conversion. Tight head prop, Andy Piper then added to the tally of the front row union going over from short range. The conversion was missed but Hall added a penalty to stretch Cleckheaton's lead to 15-0 after the first quarter of the game. Rhys Evans clawed back 3 points for Burnage with a penalty goal 25 minutes in but this was to be the only points the visitors would register in the first half of the match. Despite Hall taking a trip to the sin bin, Man of the Match, Jack Bickerdike, scooted over for Cleckheaton's 3rd try, which Matt Piper converted. The outcome of the fixture was secured when Andy Piper added his second and Cleckheaton's fourth earning the bonus point. Jack Seddon topped off an excellent first half for the Moorenders with another try for Cleck, leaving the club’s brand new electronic scoreboard confirming the home side had a commanding 34-3 lead at the break.

Andy Ashcroft showed that Burnage were not going to simply capitulate in the second half, going over for the visitors first try shortly after the restart. Evans added the conversion. Cleckheaton got back into their rhythm and started to play some expansive rugby resulting in a brace of tries in fairly quick succession for winger Sam Walker. Neither of these were converted from the touchline but Cleckheaton now held a 44-10 advantage. In the last 10 minutes the Moorenders let their concentration lapse and Burnage capitalised with two consolation tries for David Hopkins. The south Manchester team will take solace from the fact they won the second half but Cleckheaton took the 5 league points with a final score of 44-20.

The win will give the team much needed confidence, which will set them in good stead for their trip to East Yorkshire next Saturday when they meet Hull. Cleckheaton are starting to find their feet this season and the players who joined the club since last year’s campaign are showing their worth. Josh Malkinson is impressing more each week, Sam Walker is developing into a try machine for the club and the latest additions of Josh Hall and Joey Carley have added instant strength to the squad. Competition for places, particularly in the pack, is becoming strong and players know they have to perform at their best to keep their shirt. The Kestrel’s also won on Saturday beating Scunthorpe 21-19 on their trip to Lincolnshire, with Liam Goldthorpe and Tom Brook making a welcome return to the fold after missing much of 2015. There are a number of players in the 2’s that have an eye on a 1st team slot and will continue to state their case as the season progresses.