Cleckheaton 8 - 15 Rossendale

Newly promoted Rossendale were just about worth this narrow victory in a hard fought contest, which could have gone either way right up to the final whistle. Cleck had 7 new faces involved in the match day squad but lacked 3 key players in new signings Dom Castle, Nick Wainwright and player coach Peter Murphy, all of whom were on a stag weekend in Ibiza. However, their replacements all had strong games and pushed their claims for continued inclusion in the side. Interestingly, Owen Edwards, playing his first competitive game for the club since the 2007-8 season looked totally at home at stand off and the club is hoping that his availability will be on a more regular basis in the near future, if his coaching commitments with the rugby teams at Leeds Grammar School allow.

Early season matches don't always give a true reflection of a team's form. However, the first quarter of this match showed just how far the side has come since the dark days of the 2008-9 season. Spirit, communication, resilience, composure were all evident. Ross Hayden opened the scoring with a 10th minute penalty and, although the visitors missed a chance to level matters 2 minutes later, Cleck had most of the territory and possession. In the 24th minute, Hayden once more joined the line at pace and, looking to his wing for support decided to go for the line himself to score an excellent try wide out. The same player was unfortunate with the conversion attempt which hit the upright.

Rossendale have recruited over the summer with several players with years of National League experience. It appeared that Cleck's 'in your face'approach had come as somewhat of a surprise and on the half hour mark it was obvious that their intensity increased. Whether this was coincidental or not, at the same time Cleckheaton reverted to old ways. In the 36th minute a vital first up tackle was missed and No 10 Arno De Jager burst through for the visitors first try. The same player missed the conversion.

At half time Cleckheaton held a slender lead and coach Dave Harrison had a big job to motivate his players to a higher level of performance.
10 minutes into the second half Cleck's line was breached once more when Rossendale scrum half and captain Stephen Bramhall chipped over the defence, regathered and dived over for a clever individual try. De Jager converted and completed the scoring 6 minutes later with a penalty. For the last 10 minutes of the match Cleck exerted almost continuous pressure but Rossendale kept their noses in front with former Leeds and Sedgley Park skipper Tim Fourie winning vital lineouts and De Jager relieving pressure with good line kicking. Cleck's last chance came to nothing when Tom Lauriston's half break was stopped short of the line and the subsequent ruck spilled the ball loose.

A disappointing result but a spirited performance from a Cleck side which will get better. A lack of a cutting edge out wide was obvious and the pack's 'nap' either side of half time was acknowledged by a frustrated Dave Harrison. This is a long season with lots of twists and turns to be enacted, and with this bonus point for finishing within 7 points or less of the victors, Cleck are up and running with a point on the board.