Cleckheaton all-but secured their tenure in National 3 North next season, with a tremendous comeback in the last 45 minutes at Birkenhead Park. It was a crucial game for both teams with Park sat second from bottom, 7 points behind Cleckheaton prior to the kick off.

Birkenhead hit the ground running and started the match in a manor befitting of a team fighting for survival in their penultimate home game. Cleckheaton were caught cold by Park’s enthusiasm and conceded a try after just 2 minutes. No.8, Dave Ibbotson, forcing his way over for the try on the back of his team’s forward power. The home support was given further hope when a line-out was caught by Park’s pack and driven 20 metres down field, before being spread across the pitch for winger, Adam Wellington to score. With Cleckheaton still getting the bus journey out of their system they went further behind when Park steered another rolling maul over the line, Campbell getting the ball to ground. 30 minutes into the game and Cleckheaton were 17-0 down. They were down but definitely not out and with 5 minutes remaining in the half, started to secure some quality possession for the first time. After Birkenhead illegally halted the progress of Cleckheaton’s forwards three times in quick succession, the referee awarded the Moorenders a penalty try.

The sides changed ends with Park holding a 17-5 lead. Cleckheaton had started slowly but were now getting into the game. Jack Seddon mounted a number of threatening forays and Richard and Matt Piper led the bashing in the forwards and backs respectively. Flanker Tom Austin got around the field well to make sure possession was retained in the contact area. With Cleckheaton moving onto the front foot, Man of the Match Jack Bickerdike, made a half break and popped the ball into the bread basket of fullback James Wilson, who’s angled run took him all the way to the line. Ronan Evans converted. Cleckheaton continued in the ascendency and piled the pressure onto the home team. The forwards set up a maul and the back line started to add their weight to it as well. The mass of Cleckheaton bodies could not be resisted and Martin Woodhead got the ball down over the whitewash. Ronan Evans’ touchline conversion put Cleckheaton into a19-17 lead. With 10 minutes left to play, Evans extended the score with a penalty goal meaning Park would need a try to get anything but a bonus point out of the game. The home team battled hard as their place in National 3 is slipping from their grasp but Cleckheaton were not to be denied and the referee blew full time to confirm an excellent and spirited comeback from the Moorenders.

Cleckheaton are now two places above the relegation zone with two games left to play and are in a strong position but are not yet mathematically safe. However, if they can get anything out of the game against Rossendale this Saturday or Huddersfield YMCA fail to get 5 points from their game away at Ilkley, then Cleck’s place in National 3 is beyond challenge. The team has shown a lot of character since the turn of the year, winning 7 out of the last 11 games. Rossendale away on Easter Saturday was probably the worst that Cleckheaton have played in 2016, losing 40-15 and so the team will relish the opportunity to put the record straight at Moorend, only 3 weeks after the two sides last met.