Cleckheaton 10 – 17 Lymm

A dismal day was served up by the weather at Moorend on the opening weekend of the league season and similar fare was on display on the pitch. Cleckheaton had the lion's share of territory and possession in the first half and a nice break from Neil Chivers looked to offer a scoring opportunity but knock-ons and other errors in Lymm's danger zone thwarted attempts to get on the scoreboard. Lymm were also racking up the error count in the conditions and neither side could play flowing rugby. Ironically the club were trialling a new system called PitcheroPlay, which now beams live score updates and video clips to their website whilst the game is in progress, but unfortunately there was little to report as the game remained 0-0 after half an hour.

With around 10 minutes left in the half, a foray into Cleckheaton’s 22 gave Lymm an opportunity to apply pressure to the Moorender’s line in centre field. The defensive effort was solid with Paul Turner putting in some big hits despite arriving back from China only a few hours earlier, but a quickly spun ball uncovered a gap in Cleckheaton’s line leading to an unconverted try for Owens. From the restart Lymm gathered possession and booted the ball down field. A fumble from Cleckheaton's full back gifted a kick-on to Lymm's winger, McEvoy, who gathered for their second try within 2 minutes. The teams changed ends with Lymm holding a 10-0 lead.

Cleckheaton went further behind shortly into the second period when a missed tackle in the middle of the field created a foot race to the line. McEvoy was triumphant once again and the conversion gave Lymm a 17-0 lead and Cleckheaton a small mountain to climb. They did however dig in and a wave of pressure culminated in the referee awarding the home side a penalty try. Ronan Evans converted and then brought the scores within 7 points with a penalty kick from 35m out. With minutes to go Cleckheaton were firmly encamped in Lymm's 22 and were awarded a penalty 10m from the line. Rather than tapping and setting up a drive or opting for the scrum, the ball was kicked over the whitewash for a line out. Normally a strong weapon in Cleckheaton’s armoury, the line out in the incessant rain was always going to be a significant risk, as only a few had been cleanly caught in the game so far. Lymm secured the ball and cleared their lines, summing up Cleckheaton’s day. Lymm took the four points, leaving the Moorender’s to reflect on a game they could have won, comforted by the consolation of a solitary bonus point.

There were a number of positives to take away from the game as Cleckheaton’s defence, the two notable lapses aside, looked solid against the team that finished 3rd in the league last year. There were also many things to work on and that will start on Tuesday at training as the club prepares for their first away league game, when they travel to Stockport this weekend.

The Kestrels took the daunting trip up to Grassington to face National 2 side Wharfedale. The North Yorkshire men traditionally have a very strong 2nd team at this time of year and this proved to be the case on Saturday. The score line of 54-0 does not tell the full story though as Cleckheaton put in a brave effort, despite having to play 4 forwards in their back line due to unavailability’s, against the flying pace of Wharfedale’s back three.