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Sat 20 Mar 2010 · National League 3 North
Penrith
1st XV
36
17
Tries: R Hayden, M Piper
Penrith 36 - 17 Cleckheaton
Neil Gillan22 Mar 2010 - 22:26
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Cleckheaton can take encouragement from the last 60 minutes of the game. By Alan Bentley
The long journey to Cumbria seemed to take its toll on Cleckheaton as they conceded 26 points in the first 20 minutes of the match.Even prior to the match the signs were rather ominous with the knowledge that the team was travelling without three key individuals in Steve Worsley,Dominic Castle and Geoff Jones and in addition Ryan Piercy was nursing sore ribs.
However,there was no real excuse for the teams' initial malaise as Penrith took advantage of a fumble at the first kick off for winger Armstrong to cross.This was quickly followed by the hosts second try by stand off Steve Wood who sold a dummy and ran in between the posts for a score which he converted.Cleck looked shell shocked as did their hardy band of supporters who continued to encourage vociferously.Iain Gordon put the first points on the board for Cleckheaton with a penalty but Penrith were in no mood to step back as they added two further tries in quick succession from full back James Ellar.Both were converted by influential stand off Steve Wood.
This was proving to be a real test of Cleckheaton's character and resilience.For the first twenty minutes Penrith had dominated and Cleck had been left chasing the game and seeking inspiration.The visitors could have capitulated but much to their credit showed great strength of spirit to hit back.The forwards started to run with the ball and with conditions improving all the time the backs were showing a willingness to take on the home defence.
Matt Piper who had swapped his usual 13 shirt to fill in at scrum half,put a delicate chip through on the blindside for Ross Hayden to gather and side step his way between the posts.Iain Gordon converted and at half time Cleck had a glimmer of hope at 26-10.
With the strong wind and slope now in their favour Cleckheaton were looking for a more committed response.Unfortunately Penrith were first to put points on the board in the second half when Wood kicked a penalty.
Excellent work by the Cleck pack saw the ball driven towards the Penrith line enabling Matt Piper to force his way over from five metres out.Gordon added the extras from the touchline to bring the score to 29-17 and a bonus point looked a distinct possibility.
Hard as they tried,the visitors were unable to dominate possession sufficiently for further try scoring opportunities,and when winger Armstrong crossed for his second try,again converted by Wood,Cleck knew they were beaten
This was always going to be a difficult assignment but in coming back from the initial onslaught Cleck can glean encouragement and focus on what now needs to be achieved.
The remaining five matches starting Saturday against Rochdale are all proverbial cup finals.Three wins and a couple of bonus points would surely retain National Tree status.Anything less and it could go down to the last game at home to Sheffield Tigers on 24th of April.
However,there was no real excuse for the teams' initial malaise as Penrith took advantage of a fumble at the first kick off for winger Armstrong to cross.This was quickly followed by the hosts second try by stand off Steve Wood who sold a dummy and ran in between the posts for a score which he converted.Cleck looked shell shocked as did their hardy band of supporters who continued to encourage vociferously.Iain Gordon put the first points on the board for Cleckheaton with a penalty but Penrith were in no mood to step back as they added two further tries in quick succession from full back James Ellar.Both were converted by influential stand off Steve Wood.
This was proving to be a real test of Cleckheaton's character and resilience.For the first twenty minutes Penrith had dominated and Cleck had been left chasing the game and seeking inspiration.The visitors could have capitulated but much to their credit showed great strength of spirit to hit back.The forwards started to run with the ball and with conditions improving all the time the backs were showing a willingness to take on the home defence.
Matt Piper who had swapped his usual 13 shirt to fill in at scrum half,put a delicate chip through on the blindside for Ross Hayden to gather and side step his way between the posts.Iain Gordon converted and at half time Cleck had a glimmer of hope at 26-10.
With the strong wind and slope now in their favour Cleckheaton were looking for a more committed response.Unfortunately Penrith were first to put points on the board in the second half when Wood kicked a penalty.
Excellent work by the Cleck pack saw the ball driven towards the Penrith line enabling Matt Piper to force his way over from five metres out.Gordon added the extras from the touchline to bring the score to 29-17 and a bonus point looked a distinct possibility.
Hard as they tried,the visitors were unable to dominate possession sufficiently for further try scoring opportunities,and when winger Armstrong crossed for his second try,again converted by Wood,Cleck knew they were beaten
This was always going to be a difficult assignment but in coming back from the initial onslaught Cleck can glean encouragement and focus on what now needs to be achieved.
The remaining five matches starting Saturday against Rochdale are all proverbial cup finals.Three wins and a couple of bonus points would surely retain National Tree status.Anything less and it could go down to the last game at home to Sheffield Tigers on 24th of April.
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