Rochdale 19 - 13 Cleckheaton

In this battle of two teams striving to extricate themselves from the relegation zone,Rochdale came out on top despite conceding territory and possession for the majority of the match.In diminutive fly half Steve Collins Rochdale had a playmaker who could dictate the direction of play despite limited ball and it was fitting that he was ultimately the scorer of the winning points in the final minute of the match.Cleck unfortunately were unable to press home their big advantage in the lineout where Ryan Piercy and Matt Burrows reigned supreme. 
Cleckheaton had sufficient ball to win the game and in the first half created several overlap situations which were either called back for forward passes or the covering defence held firm.Three penalty successes for Rochdale marksman Steve Pitcher kept the scoreline close at half time,but it was Cleck who looked the side most likely to go on and win the match.
Five minutes into the second half Ross Hayden opened Cleckheaton's account with a penalty and ten minutes later the visitors finally converted pressure into points when player coach Peter Murphy drove over from short range after a move on the 22 by the forwards had created confusion in the Rochdale defence.Ross Hayden converted and in the 70th minute added another penalty to widen the lead to four points.Cleck were now in the driving seat and played sensibly by kicking for the corners to increase the pressure.
Within a minute Pitcher had reduced the margin to one point with another penalty success and the home side threw everything at Cleckheaton in the last five minutes;a dropped goal attempt from Steve Collins dropping short before breaking Cleckheaton hearts by scything through a beleagured defence to score the winning try which was converted by Steve Pitcher. 
This defeat will be difficult to take for all at Moorend.When a side is not used to winning, the 50-50 decisions tend to go against you and the slightest mistake is inexplicably exploited.On another day Cleckheaton would have won this game with something to spare but when confidence is low the execution of a game plan is difficult.The team needs a boost and there would be no better christmas present than a win at home next Saturday against high flying Stockport 3pm, followed by another victory at West Hartlepool the following week when the team should be strengthened by the return of Dominic Castle,Lance Hamilton,Owen Edwards and perhaps a few others! 
The supporters who returned to Moorend after the match had some good news to help them deal with the disappointment when they learned that the Kestrels, 3rd's and 4th's had all won their respective merit table matches.The Kestrels are starting to come to terms with the extra physicality of senior rugby and in the return games after christmas should gain revenge on some of the teams who defeated them previously.The signs are promising.