Cleckheaton kept their 100% record in 2013 intact following a hard fought, bonus point win away at Malton and Norton. The squad demonstrated their strength in depth with Naz Salama still out injured, Ollie Akroyd unable to play due to illness and Mark Sergeant unable to travel due to work commitments, giving an opportunity for Matt Beasty and Josh White to increase their 1st Team experience.

Malton got the first points on the board in the opening five minutes when Ali Heard struck a penalty goal. The lead did not last too long though as Cleckheaton’s pack applied pressure from Iain Gordon’s perfectly weighted re-start and stole possession. A kick from a Malton infringement gave Cleckheaton a line out 10m from the whitewash and a now very familiar scenario followed. Cleckheaton’s catch and drive must surely be amongst the very best in the league and when Hooker, Ben Thrower, picked out jumper, Ryan Piercy, the cogs on the process turned once again resulting in a try for the indomitable Rich Piper. The conversion was missed. Cleckheaton continued to pressure their opponents with the forwards now visibly gaining the upper hand, ably directed by general-in-chief Jack Bickerdike, when the ball was knocked to the floor. As Cleckheaton stalled, awaiting the referees whistle, Malton No.8 Sam Triffit seized the initiative, gathered the ball and sprinted in 60m for a converted try, which gave the home side a 10 – 5 lead.

A period of good old fashioned belligerent but fair, rugby followed as both sides threw themselves into the physical contest. Cleckheaton reverted to their strong suit and drove a line-out fully 30 metres up field before being deemed held up over the line. From the ensuing scrum and recycled possession, Ryan Piercy crashed over under the sticks. Gordon converted. Unfortunately Cleckheaton knocked on from the restart and then infringed trying to regain possession. With the attendant territorial gain and only a few minutes left in the half, Malton’s Gus Ramsey went in and Heard’s conversion brought the score to 17-12 at the break.

With the second period less than 10 minutes old, Cleckheaton levelled the scores when Iain Gordon sold a fantastic dummy to Malton’s centres and ghosted through the gap to put Ross Hayden in at the corner. Cleck completed their scoring and claimed a bonus point 15 minutes later, when they once again played to their strength and caught and drove over from a line out. Richard Piper claiming joint top spot in the table of the league’s top try scorers with his 21st of the season. Iain Gordon added the conversion to give Cleckheaton a seven point cushion. Malton did not give up the contest though and pressed hard, winning a penalty and a subsequent line-out within Cleck’s 22. The nerves of the travelling support were jangling momentarily but Piercy out jumped his opposite number to steel the ball and put paid to Malton’s challenge, leaving a final score of 24-17.

This was a very entertaining and highly competitive match and a credit to both sides who battled hard as the initiative swung from one side to the other. Ultimately however, it was the Cleckheaton forwards who made the difference with their excellent driving play and clinical execution at the set pieces. Cleckheaton will look to take this unbeaten form into next weekend’s home game against Middlesborough.