Cleckheaton put in their best performance of the season so far against second place Wirral. The win lifts the Moorenders up to 10th in the table with 3 rounds left to play, whilst Wirral’s confirmation of the promotion play-off spot has gone on hold for another week.

Both sides were able to select from strength, with Cleckheaton welcoming Lee Queeley back into the fold and James Crowther and Josh Hall also returned after missing the last two games due to holidays, whilst Tom Austin retook his place in the back row following a short-term injury.

Cleckheaton started confidently and took the game to Wirral from the outset. An early penalty goal from Ronan Evans put the home team on the scoreboard first. After a spell of solid graft from the pack Richard Piper went very close, before brother Andy burrowed over from close range for an unconverted try. Cleckheaton held an 8-0 lead and could have gone further ahead with a fantastic effort, when Lee Queeley and Brad Marsden exchanged a number of passes whilst they tore 50m down the right wing. Unfortunately a last gasp ankle tap prevented a score. The Moorenders’ attacking play was enthusiastic and determined, whilst the defence was impenetrable, with flankers Jack Seddon and Tom Austin in at every breakdown and Wirral finding it hard to make progress. As the half hour mark ticked by Cleckheaton suffered a blow when second rower Luke Pearson had to leave the field with what would turn out to be a fractured ankle. The teams changed ends without further score.

Cleckheaton had nullified all of Wirral’s threats in the first period and started the second half in equally ebullient mood. Fullback, James Wilson, and Marsden worked their way around Wirral’s back line defence and caused the visitors to infringe in the tackle area. A yellow card was produced and from the elected scrum that followed, good hands from Matt Piper and Martin Woodhead put Wilson over the whitewash. Evans added the conversion. Cleckheaton brought Josh Hall on for Lee Queeley and looked seemingly in control. However, with 25 minutes to go Moorenders prop, Paul Turner, was sin-binned, followed a minute later by scrum half, Jack Bickerdike. James Crowther and Danny Vento entered the fray for Cleckheaton, as the team re-organised their front row. Wirral, with their two man advantage unsurprisingly had opted for a scrum from the penalty that came with the second card. After two abortive attempts and Cleckheaton dicing with a penalty try, Wirral shipped the ball wide and Julian Haigh got his team on the scoreboard. From the re-start, the visitors spread the ball with pace and James Annetts completed a flowing move. The same player converted his own try and suddenly Wirral were right back in it at 15-12. Cleckheaton were restored to full compliment shortly after and were not about to let their hard work come to nought. Ryan Piercy surprised Wirral’s defence with a nicely timed pass to Tom Austin who drew his man and fed Seddon for an excellent try from the trio of forwards. The last 10 minutes saw Cleckheaton camped in their opposition’s half with Richard Piper making a notable 40m dash up centre field but the bonus point try proved elusive, despite a number of opportunities.

This was an excellent all round team effort from Cleckheaton and a performance to be proud of. If they can continue this form for the remaining few games then they can be confident against whomever they are playing. This Saturday the team travels to Birkenhead Park where a win is paramount. If this can be achieved and Huddersfield YMCA get nothing from their game against Billingham, the club will be assured of National 3 rugby next season.