Cleckheaton 15 West Hartlepool 18

Cleckheaton under Dave Harrison and Peter Murphy are a noticeably more combative animal this season and the impression is that their present lowly league position will ultimately improve as the season progresses. Two bonus points from 3 games of unqualified endeavour is scant reward but nobody said that this team would set the world on fire immediately. With 10 of the listed 18 players on Saturday new to the club and 2 new coaches it will take time, but it will need a little more precision, composure on the ball and a fair slice of luck to turn the tide.

Cleck were as initially selected, with newcomer Joe Massarella hoping to be given game time from the bench. Peter Murphy returned to the starting line up and in the absence of Steve Worsley, Richard Piper started in his third different position in as many games. Carl Mason resumed in the second row.

The visitors had a similar season's record to Cleck and began in attacking mood. In the 11th minute Ross Hayden had the chance to open proceedings but his penalty effort was wide. Both sets of forwards were testing each other out with West's back row often breaking first up tackles. In the 16th minute the referee made the first of several confusing decisions when he sinbinned West's winger Andrew Cheslin. Cleckheaton made their numerical superiority count with 2 tries in the space of 10 minutes the first when a penalty was taken quickly and Carl Mason drove over from 5 metres out. Ross Hayden converted and 6 minutes later the best try of the match came when Dom Castle kicked over a flat line of defence following a turnover on the half way line, and Ross Hayden burst through, gathered the ball at pace and sprinted over. Hayden missed the conversion but Cleck were gaining momentum. Cleck looked the stronger side overall but line outs were being lost by poor precision and support. West's fly half Paul Moss missed 2 penalty attempts just prior to the break but Cleck were making hard work of it especially with both Murphy and Hamilton in the sin bin for further 'technical' infringements. This is not a forum for criticising officials but the referee had effectively no choice following his earlier decision to yellow card West's winger for holding onto the ball on the ground. However,4 yellow cards all for 'technical' offences reflects that lack of a sympathetic touch in a game with hardly a penalty for foul play.

Cleck restarted the second half with only Hamilton left on the touchline but it was West's turn to take advantage. Prop forward Jon Norris battled his way over in the 42nd minute but Paul Moss missed with the conversion. Ross Hayden extended the home side's lead 6 minutes later with a penalty and with playmaker Moss the 4th recipient of the dreaded yellow card, Cleck appeared to have control with territorial dominance for the third quarter of the match. However, the aforementioned lack of composure enabled the game West side to claw their way back. A try from back row Dan Boatman which was converted and a penalty from the restored Moss levelled matters. In the final minute Cleck were given an opportunity to win the match when a penalty was awarded for offside. With Ross Hayden off the field following a cynical late tackle Nick Wainwright had a chance for glory. Unfortunately his kick was wide of the mark and 3 minutes into injury time West's Paul Moss made Cleck pay when his drop goal attempt sailed between the uprights. What a sickener!

There is no reason to apportion blame in this particular case. The outcome was unfortunate but Cleck should have closed this game down well before the last 10 minutes. Carl Mason had a good game in his unaccustomed role of second row and Ross Hayden once more showed his immense promise.