Billingham 7 – 27 Cleckheaton

A tactically masterful performance by Cleckheaton at Billingham brought the Moorenders what seemed on paper to be an unlikely win. Playing into a very strong breeze for the first 40 minutes, Cleckheaton wholeheartedly stuck to the game plan and inflicted only Billigham’s second loss at their Greenwood Road ground in the last 12 months.

The Spen Valley men won the toss and Captain, Richard Piper, opted to play uphill, into a very strong wind for the first period. After 15 minutes, Cleck decided to substitute their stand-off, Ronan Evans, and play with two scrum-half's, Neil Chivers and Jack Bickerdike, after realising that the only way to get up field in the conditions was by brute strength and determined bashing. For the first half an hour play took place largely between the halfway line and Cleckheaton's 22. Front three of Andy Piper, Mark Chivers and Man of the Match, Paul Turner worked tirelessly to carry the ball into Billingham’s defence, with huge performances also from Ryan Piercy and Luke Pearson as well as the Back Row of Tom Austin, Jack Seddon and the Richard Piper. Cleckheaton found progress hard to come by with kicking ruled out by the gale blowing into their faces. However they showed remarkable patience and great ball retention to slowly but surely clear their lines, with Neil Cherryholme, a replacement in the centre for injured Matt Piper, also eager for work to help out the pack. A brief lapse in concentration allowed Billingham to get their only score, when on 20 minutes a quick line out from the home team was collected by centre, Luke Wilson, and he hot-footed it to the line unopposed. Pete Evans converted to put Billingam into a 7-0 lead. As half time approached Cleckheaton finally started to enjoy some possession inside the Billingham danger zone and after a barnstorming run by Paul Turner, Richard Piper went in for a try. Josh Hall added the conversion to level the scores and the lady referee blew to signal the end of the first period.

In the second half Cleckheaton used the wind to their advantage and Billingham knew they were up against it having no lead at the half way stage. Despite the odd breakaway, Cleckheaton kept their opposition penned in their own territory, with replacements of Niall Jackson and Joey Carly adding their fresh legs to the effort. Billingham's line out was dysfunctional and coupled with many handling errors from the home side, Cleckheaton benefitted from lots of possession and allowed the outside backs of Hall, Ollie Depledge, Martin Woodhead and James Wilson to make yards. Neil Chivers also found himself in plenty of space and landed a drop goal to give Cleck the lead. Soon after, Luke Pearson retrieved a line out and when Billingham stood away, inviting the truck and trailer, the 20 year old was smart enough to turn as if he was about to set up a maul and then dive forward through the gap left by Billingham's pack. Evans had retaken the field for Wilson and converted the try before adding a penalty to give Cleckheaton a 7-20 lead. With 13 points in it, Cleckheaton were still nervous of a Billingham resurgence, especially having been received a yellow card. Jack Seddon cast away any faint hopes of a Billingham come back when he dribbled the ball from the No.8 position at the back of a 5m scrum and then picked up for the score. Evans added the additional 2 points for a convincing, well deserved and very welcome win for Cleckheaton.

This match was a telling turn around for the Moorenders, in contrast to the previous week’s game against Kendal, they executed the game plan to the letter and reaped the rewards with an away win at the home of the League’s 3rd placed team. It demonstrates the fact that the side has the capability to compete with and beat any side in the league, if they stick to the game plan and play with patience. This weekend Cleckheaton welcome Hull to Moorend and will look to kick on with this new found confidence.