Cleckheaton 21 - 25 West Park St Helens

This was not only Cleckheaton's worst performance of the season; more worryingly was the lack of genuine desire and application against opposition who had yet to register a point this season. As last season, Park belied their poor start to the campaign and gradually grew in confidence as Cleck's errors mounted.

Ross Hayden had the first chance to put points on the board but pushed his second minute penalty effort wide. 5 minutes later the Cleck pack took play into Park's 22 with a series of pick and drive attacks. A rolling maul edged the home side closer to the visitors line and Tom Whitehead's try was the culmination of a well constructed effort. Ross Hayden missed the conversion but the crowd were optimistic of further scores.

Both sides were making unforced errors and the game took on an unstructured look with turnovers and missed tackles the order of the day. Park hit back in the 10th minute when winger Warren Hunt scored a try wide out following a defensive error. Craig Orrick missed with the conversion attempt but 6 minutes later put Park in the lead with his first successful penalty. Once again the game continued it's disjointed course with both sides presenting each other with opportunities to score. Ross Hayden levelled matters in the 17th minute with a penalty and from the re-start Ryan Piercy barged his way through a couple of would-be tackles before off-loading to young back row Tom Clough, who sprinted fully 55 yards for an excellent try which was converted by Ross Hayden.

It was at this point that Cleck needed to retain their composure, make effective decisions and close the game off. Unfortunately nobody had read the script and play continued in a frenetic malaise with no one team having superiority.

In the 34th minute West Park were awarded a penalty which they kicked to the corner to exert further pressure on Cleck. Lineout possession was secured and the ball was moved wide where centre Craig Orrick broke through another weak tackle to score under the posts. The same player added the extras. Ross Hayden once more levelled matters with his second successful penalty but on the stroke of half time came the decisive play of the match. Park put a speculative kick deep into Cleck territory. Full back Joe Massarella appeared to have the time to deal with the threat, either by clearing to touch or setting up a counter attack. Unfortunately he achieved neither option and instead was ajudged to have impeded the West Park winger attempting to score a try. The result; a penalty try. Craig Orrick converted and Park had opened up a 5 point margin at the break.

The second half tended to mirror the first, without the points spree. Both Hayden and Orrick added further penalties and the general quality of play tended to reflect the fortunes of 2 struggling teams. Unfortunately Park's No 8 Mike Millward had to be stretchered from the field with a suspected broken leg but his team held out for their first victory of the season and a deserved one at that. Cleckheaton's best wishes go to Millward for a swift recovery.

Following on from a string of good performances without reward, other than a bonus point, this was a performance which deserved little reward. Ryan Piercy strove hard to inspire his lacklustre colleagues but ultimately this was a match to forget. Selection has been difficult with a succession of injuries and unavailabilities hitting an already small squad. Experience is lacking in certain key areas but there will be no quick fix and the 18 players on duty for their club last Saturday know that they must improve.