Cleckheaton 12 – 30 Billingham

Cleckheaton put in an excellent first 20 minutes against the men from Teeside and stormed 12 – 0 in front but a lapse in concentration and a few missed one on one tackles allowed Billingham to get back into the game and then an outrageous sin binning and a drop in Cleckheaton's confidence gave the visitors the platform to pull into a 24-12 lead by the break.

Cleckheaton are one of only three teams (Huddersfield and Hull) to beat Billingham at home this season, so they knew that if they employed similar tactics they had a chance of being victorious again in the reverse fixture. All started well for Cleck with tight forward play and sparing kicks keeping Billingham from possession as the home side made their way upfield. Mark Chivers returned to the fold after over a month of injury and along with Ben Thrower ensured that Cleck’s line out throwing was accurate with Cleckheaton taking 12 of the 19 line outs in the game. From one such set-piece, 10 minutes in, skipper Richard Piper drove the ball over the line but was deemed to be held up. From the resulting 5m scrum, Piper went close again before Ryan Piercy gathered and forced his way over. Ronan Evans added the extras. Cleckheaton's second try was started by a superb run from Jack Seddon who has sprung back into top form, taking the ball 50m upfield with strength and determination. With Billingham on the back foot, quick hands along the back line put Evans within a few metres before Matt Piper picked up and barged his way over.

At 12-0 up Cleckheaton looked to be good value for doing the double over 5th place Billingham but the visitors where thrown an opportunity when Cleckheaton forced an off load which went to ground. Billingham gathered and winger Tom Briggs raced in for a try which was converted by Elliot Husband. Shortly afterwards Billingham levelled the scores following another error from Cleckheaton, this time with a kick that never made touch and opposite winger Hopley raced through some lack lustre defence to make it 12 all. A bizarre mix up then followed, which saw Matt Piper sin-binned for a tackle he took no part in and the match video calls in to question any wrong doing from the actual tackler which was Ryan Piercy. Nonetheless Billingham took a quick tap penalty and scored their 3rd try of the afternoon. Husband again obliged to put Billingham 19-7 in front. With a couple of minutes left in the half, Briggs went in again for Billingham and Cleckheaton found themselves 24-12 down at the change of ends

Cleckheaton plugged any holes in their defence in the second half but could not work their way onto the score sheet. They did camp on Billingham’s line for a spell and got several penalties in Billingham's danger zone, culminating in a yellow card for team offences for Billigham’s No.8. However they could just not break through and an excellent clearance kick from Billingham ended Cleckheaton's advances. Cleck won the penalty count, claiming 12 to the visitors’ 8 put crucially Billingham were successful in their choice of goal on two of those occasions and added the only 6 points of the 2nd half.

A good start for Cleckheaton but a bad 20 mins conceded the league points and Cleckheaton remain above the relegation zone but only just, with 5 matches yet to play.