Cleckheaton eased to their first bonus point victory of the season and in the process showed an incisive cutting edge which had been missing in the first three matches. Iain Gordon opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a penalty following a dominant driving maul from the Cleckheaton forwards.The match was held up for almost an hour for Morpeth scrum half Matt Jinks to receive medical attention following a collision with his own player. The medical staff in attendance which consisted of two doctors and two physios decided that his concussion could reflect further serious injury and waited for the paramedics to take him for hospital observation. The player was kept in Huddersfield hospital overnight and returned home on Sunday where he was reported to be fine but with a headache.No lasting damage and he hopes to resume playing in mid October.
On resumption the home forwards continued where they had left off. The well orchestrated driving maul from clean lineout possession from Ollie Akroyd was finished off each time by the impeccable Richard Piper to provide him with a first half hat-trick of tries, two of which were converted by Iain Gordon. Morpeth's only reward for a half of honest endeavour was a drop goal from stand off Tom Wilkinson.
In complete contrast to the first half Cleckheaton came out in the second with the intention of firstly securing the four try bonus point and secondly to bring the backs more into the game. Iain Gordon left the field through injury and Ross Hayden assumed the kicking duties.His first attempted penalty was just short but he was able to add the extas to a try from winger Martin Woodhead following excellent work from Paul Turner with a well timed offload.Eight minutes later centre Matt Piper broke through the middle and passed to Woodhead who rounded the full back with ease to score his second try from thirty yards out. Ross Hayden was just wide with the conversion attempt.Cleckheaton now had the bit between their teeth and play became open.Hayden once more created the space, sold a wonderful dummy and gave a perfect pass to Martin Woodhead to complete a hat-trick of tries.
Much to their credit Morpeth continued to look for consolation and mounted a series of attacks.The Cleckheaton defence had been sound as last week but the visitors were able to score two tries from centres Ben Hornby and James Phillips both of which were converted by Phillips.
A second successive win for Cleckheaton and promising signs that combinations are starting to settle and a game plan emerging. Special mentions to Jarrad Toulson who continued to do the right things at stand off and prop Ben Thrower who is now capable at both hooker and prop.