Darlington 7 - 73 Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton were totally dominant over relegated Darlington at Blackwell Meadows, scoring eleven tries, with seven of them coming in a very one-sided first half. The Moorenders have now won nine league games in a row and continue to push Morley, Wheatley Hills and Sheffield all the way for the single promotion play-off spot.

Cleckheaton wasted little time getting on the scoreboard and went in after 5 minutes, James Wilson tiptoeing down the touchline before passing to Lee Queeley, who found Jack Bickerdike in support for a try under the sticks. An opportunity arose for Darlington from the restart when Clekheaton knocked-on, but a loose pass along their backline was gathered by Lee Queeley and the powerful centre ran in from 70 metres for the first of his three tries. Darlington were unable to really exert any pressure on their visitors and the scoreboard ticked over again when Matt Piper broke through and fed Naz Salama, who advanced the ball almost to the try line. Darlington did not release the tackled back rower and from the resulting penalty, Jack Bickerdike dummied to his left and dived over close to the sticks. Captain, Richard Piper, then went in for arguably his longest try of the 24 he has scored in the league this season, receiving the ball in space outside the home side’s 22m and darting in for Cleckheaton’s bonus point try. The skipper was the starting point for the next score, which began with a Darlington line-out only 10m from Cleck’s line, when he gathered an overthrown ball and fed team mate Ryan Piercy. The lock forward made 30 metres before Bickerdike released the backs and James Wilson once again broke down the touchline side before passing to Ross Hayden for another try. The relentless point scoring continued when the unstoppable Lee Queeley received the ball just inside his own half and despite the attention of one or two would-be tacklers made his way to the try-line. Matt Piper finished off Cleckheaton’s first half blitz when interpassing between him and Wilson resulted in the 7th try of the afternoon. Iain Gordon converted all but this last score and at half time, Cleckheaton were out of sight at 47 – 0.

Darlington were clearly invigorated by their half time team talk and came out with more determination. After pinning Cleckheaton in their 22 and securing the sin-binning of Matt Piper, they got reward for their efforts with a converted try. However, Cleckheaton were not done with the scoring of their own and Richard Piper went in for his second of the afternoon with one of his signature efforts, directing the back of the line-out following a catch and drive. James Wilson who had been try provider on a couple of occasions got one for himself and James Marshall who had come off the bench at half time scored in the corner with one of his first touches. Lee Queeley rounded off the try scoring and completed his hat-trick when Iain Gordon and Matt Piper combined to put the centre in space on the inside and he ran in for another long range score. Gordon again converted all but one of the second half tries to give a final score of 73-7.

This was a classy performance by Cleckheaton who demonstrated their credentials for an assault on the play-off spot. With three games left, the season will go to the wire, with only 3 points separating the four sides vying for 2nd place in the league table. Next weekend Cleckheaton face Northern, a team who they have a poor record against in recent times and the side will have to be on their metal to secure the win and also try for the bonus point which could prove so valuable come the end of April.