Malton & Norton 23 - 31 Cleckheaton

After an excellent pre-season capped by a win over Morley in the Yorkshire Cup last weekend, Cleckheaton made the trip to North Yorkshire to kick off this year’s league campaign at Malton & Norton. It was a tense encounter at times but Cleckheaton retained their composure and came away with a win and a try scoring bonus point.

Cleckheaton’s first try came after only 5 minutes when an excellent run from Lee Queeley, off the back of a solid line-out, took the Centre to within a foot of the line. A perfectly weighted looping pass from Michael Piper cut out the Malton defence to allow James Wilson, with a quick step off his right foot, in for a try in the corner. Cleckheaton increased their lead following three line-outs within Malton's 22, when Paul Turner rampaged over for a try, which Ross Hayden converted to bring the score to 12 – 0.

Malton got their 1st points on the board near the half hour mark when stand off Ramsey converted a penalty and then repeated the same a few minutes later to bring the score to 12 – 6. However, it was the visitors who ended the half in the ascendancy when great work from James Wilson opened up Malton's defence and Lee Queeley was released to dive over the line with Malton’s fullback forlornly trying to drag him back. Hayden added the extras for a half time score of 19 – 6.

Malton started the 2nd forty very brightly and took the game to Cleckheaton from the kick off. They were rewarded for their efforts with another kickable penalty and took the 3 points. Cleckheaton responded immediately when Michael Piper intercepted a long pass as Malton tried to clear their lines and quick hands from Piper and James Marshall put Wilson in for his second of the afternoon. The try was unconverted but Cleckheaton’s lead was now 24 – 9 and with the try scoring bonus point in the bag, it seemed the game was possibly over as a contest with 25 minutes still to go.

If that was what Cleckheaton’s XV thought, Malton had very different ideas and chased the re-start with renewed enthusiasm, re-gathering the ball and throwing off some half hearted defence from the Moorenders to score their 1st try. The visiting supporters were on the edge of their seats when Malton went in for a further try five minutes later and the successful conversion of both brought the score to 24-23. Malton could have taken the lead but fortunately for Cleckheaton the penalty attempt drifted wide.

In previous seasons this match could have drifted away but the team kept their composure and replaced the panic play that had started to creep into their game, with honest hard work. The Forwards cleared rucks well and retained possession phase after phase as they bashed their way up the centre of the field. A deft kick to the corner gave Malton a line-out close to their line, which Ollie Akroyd was able to steal. A powerful drive from Rob Afoa Peterson sucked in the defence and created space for Lee Queeley to weave his way through the traffic for a try under the sticks. Hayden converted to bring the score to 31 – 23. Malton were not finished though and in the last 2 minutes of the game peppered Cleckheaton’s line, spurning the chance to kick a 4th penalty and earn a bonus point. They were after more and if not for two excellent tackles from Man of the Match, Lee Queeley, may have been successful.

A bonus point win is an excellent way to start the season and it was double joy for Cleckheaton as the Kestrels also sealed a bonus point win against Malton & Norton 2nds at Moorend in the Yorkshire RFU Premiership Merit Table. Tries from Horrigan, Fletcher, Crowther, Motlib and Brown eased Cleckheaton to a 48-12 win.