Cleckheaton fell to another defeat at Moorend but renewed determination in the latter stages of the game claimed a bonus point in the dark and dismal weather conditions.

The visitors from across the Pennines sparked the scoreboard into life first when confusion over who was taking a high bomb resulted in the ball hitting the ground and bouncing straight into the hands of Stockport's Jordan Simpson in full sprint. The try under the sticks was converted by Ashley Platt-Hughes. Without Cleckheaton making much headway into Stockport territory, the visitors extended their lead when Cleckheaton's pack dropped off a couple of tackles on the visiting No.8, who was then able to break through and off load for team mate, Callum McMahon, to score. The conversion was missed but Cleckheaton were 12 -0 down. The Moorenders eventually started to get into the game on the half hour mark and pressure from the forwards led to a scrum infringement from Stockport in their own 22. Good awareness and a quick tap penalty from Jack Bickerdike to Matt Piper cemented the defence and a long pass from the centre found Josh Hall in acres of space for Cleckheaton's first try. Ronan Evans slotted the conversion. In the remaining minutes of the first period Cleckheaton continued in the ascendency but were let down by unforced handling errors and at the break Stockport retained their 12-5 lead.

Cleckheaton were hoping to continue where they left off in the second half but put the ball out on the full from the re-start. Stockport did little with this small advantage, knocking on at the back of the scrum but were soon starting to expose their game plan, which was to protect their lead and pin Cleckheaton back at every opportunity with kicks down field. The visiting stand-off was having a fine kicking game given this brief and every time Cleckheaton conceded possession they found themselves having to build again from their own 22. From one such kick to touch, Stockport were able to turn over a line-out and following 3 or 4 pick and go's, Ben Marshland went in for Stockport's 3rd try. Platt-Hughes added the extras.

Cleckheaton were down but not out and as the two sides tussled for possession tempers flared and disagreements broke out. Matt Piper offered some diplomacy, which his opposite number seemed to take on the chin after the Stockport man had run in from 20m to give some misguided advice. The referee brought calm to proceedings and brandished the yellow card, sin-binning a player from each side. The game was not back underway for long however before a second interruption, after the referee went over on his ankle
and had to have 10 mins physio before he could continue . As the weather conditions and the advancement of time were starting to cast the pitch into darkness, Cleckheaton brightened for the last 10 minutes of the match, excellent marauding forward play, with Ryan Piercy and Paul Turner putting in forceful stints, put Stockport on the back foot and as Cleck's forwards were about to touch down an infringement sent the referee between the posts for a penalty try. The conversion from Evans gave a final score of Stockport 19 - Cleckheaton 14.

Cleckheaton are lacking a bit of confidence at the present time and stringing a couple of back to back wins together would be just the tonic to propel them onwards and upwards. Next week the club travels to Wirral and then after a week of Yorkshire Cup rugby, they play Birkenhead Park at home to complete the first half of the fixture list. So far Cleckheaton have not played any side that they couldn't beat on their day and small improvements could lead to significant changes in fortune for the team.