Cleckheaton travelled back over the Pennines with a vital win under their belt, following an assured performance at Stockport. The score line was almost a mirror of the result at Moorend back in November, when Stockport won the game by a five-point margin but this time around Cleckhetaon played so much better.

Cleck's pack got the upper hand on their opponents and front three of Paul Turner, Mark Chivers and Andy Piper supported by the engine room of Ryan Piercy and Luke Pearson put the home team under pressure at the set piece. After 10 minutes a penalty kick to the corner gave the West Yorkshire men their first opportunity to test Stockport's mettle close to their goal line. A well drilled catch and drive placed the ball safely into the hands of Richard Piper at the back of the maul and moments later Cleckheaton had their first try. Ronan Evans adding the conversion to take the score to 7-0. A loose pass in Cleckheaton's three quarter line went straight into the hands of a Stockport player and though scrambling defence quashed the immediate threat, the home team remained in Cleckheaton's 22 until Oli Longmore went in for a try. This was converted by Jonny Edwards to level the scores. Cleckheaton hit back when a perfectly timed pass from Matt Piper threaded centre partner, James Wilson, through a tiny hole and the latter raced 20m to place the ball down under the sticks. Evans again converting. Cleckheaton closed the half as they had started with the forwards proving a handful for their opponents and Richard Piper going in for his second try following another catch and drive. The conversion was missed and the sides changed ends with Cleckheaton holding a 19-7 lead.

Stockport upped the ante at the start of the second period but formidable goal line defence from Cleckheaton someohow kept the home team from scoring. The two sides traded territory with back rows of Jack Seddon and Tom Austin spoiling Stockport’s progress whenever they were slow to recycle ball. Ben Thrower and Danny Graham also entered the fray from the bench to add fresh legs. The home team’s tactic was to spread the ball wide as often as possible, their preferred option as Cleckheaton’s pack were proving too strong. They made a number of half breaks causing tension in Cleckheaton’s travelling support but solid defence and cover tackling by wingmen Brad Marsden and Martin Woodhead, ensured that these were not converted into points. Despite a nicely worked deceptive pass from Mike Piper, sending cousin Matt on a 40m run, the half remained scoreless until the hour mark when Cleckheaton were awarded a penalty 35m out. Evans capitalised on the opportunity to put his team 15 points ahead with a well struck goal. Stockport were not done yet though and worked hard to get upfield culminating in a try for Jordan Simpson, which Edwards converted. Cleckheaton were reduced to 14 men due to a sin-binning with only 9 minutes to play but whilst Stockport threw the ball around with great vigour, they could not break down the Yorkshire men's defence. When the referee awarded a penalty in the dying seconds, the home team opted for a kick at goal, which Edwards duly converted reducing Cleckheaton's win to 22-17 and landing Stockport the consolation of a losing bonus point.

The win, coupled with the fact that local rivals Huddersfield YMCA, lost at home to Burnage gives Cleckheaton a vital boost and sees the team rise out of the relegation zone at what is now the business end of the season. Another win away at Rossendale, in Cleckheaton’s game in hand on Saturday, would cement the bid for safety and if the team play with the same effort and determination as they showed in this game then the club could enjoy a very happy Easter.