Cleckheaton 13 - 10 Birkenhead Park

A collective sigh of relief was almost tangible at Moorend on Saturday as Cleckheaton gained their first victory of the season and their first league victory since defeating local rivals Morley on December 10th last year. Not only was this win deserved, it also went some way to reducing the frustration of the previous 4 games where Cleck have been the better side for large parts of the games without showing the ruthless instinct to convert pressure into points.
The selected side was unclear right up to kick off time with several injury doubts and rumours of returning 'past masters'. In the end former Director of Rugby John Bentley came in at centre for his first competitive game for almost 2 years and Craig Rika came onto the bench, giving the side the 'edge of experience' often lacking this season.
The conditions from the start were exceptionally difficult with a swirling gale force wind making constructive rugby almost impossible. A good crowd swelled by 120 pre match dining guests got behind Cleck from the start and with first use of the elements the early play was predominantly in Park's 22. The tactic had to be to pick and drive, retain possession and use the power of the pack to make ground. The policy was successful to a degree but unfortunately no points were forthcoming. Against the run of play Park took the lead in the 20th minute when centre Gary Lunt walzed through a leaky defence to score under the posts. Dave Hall converted and Park had taken their chance to put points on the board against the wind.
The home side continued to exert pressure but Park's defence held out until just before half time when first Pete Murphy took the ball up and made good yards, the pack drove further with Lance Hamilton to the fore and Paul Turner plunged over for the skipper's second try of the season. The conversion was missed but the timing of the score was perfect. Again the half had been characterised by Cleck's good driving play but this week they had some reward for the endeavour.
The second half started as the first with Cleck still gaining territorial advantage but this time against the wind. Richard Piper was conspicuous amongst a hard working forward unit and with Lance Hamilton back to his beligerent best and line out ball competed for Park started to make mistakes. However, the visitors extended their lead in the 48th minute when Dave Hall kicked a penalty. The strong wind was still dominating proceedings but Cleck had the correct game plan to play the percentages and cut down the error count. With Ross Hayden having to leave the field with a recurrence of a thigh injury Nick Wainwright had the chance to reduce the arrears but his penalty attempt was taken way off target by the gale. However,4 minutes later the best play of the match brought Cleck level. For once several phases of play were strung together patiently, one rolling maul controlled by Craig Rika actually taking Park's pack 30 yards backwards. The ball was moved through several pairs of hands and teenager Danny Ashton went over in the corner to level matters. The conversion was missed but Cleck were the better side and in the asendancy. With 5 minutes remaining Cleckheaton took play into Park's 22. The visitors transgressed at a ruck and Nick Wainwright duly obliged with a successful penalty to win the match for his team.
The rest of the remaining time was played out without any undue alarm and the Moorend faithful were left to celebrate a hard earned but thoroughly deserved victory.
This was a long overdue victory for a Cleck side which has commendable spirit and a hard working back up staff with coach Dave Harrison, player coach Pete Murphy, who had an excellent game playing closer to his pack and driving the ball into the opposition and team manager Mark Waite who provide the necessary guidance and support any good side requires.