In a thrilling game, Cleckheaton came out on top thanks to the power and precision of their pack with three of the six tries coming directly from driving mauls, following excellent lineout ball from Ollie Akroyd. However, in the first half it was the home side which initially took control with two tries from winger Tom Hardy and an individual try from inspirational centre Robin Kitching, the latter adding two conversions. Cleckheaton appeared to be shell shocked by the way Driffield had opened up holes in their defence and their only reply up to the break was a Ross Hayden penalty and a try from skipper Richard Piper ,resulting from a well orchestrated driving maul. Driffield were good value for their lead at the break and it was further extended soon after the restart with a sweetly executed drop goal from Robin Kitching.
The Cleckheaton half time team talk would have been all about first up tackles and playing to the team’s strengths. Now was the time to play to the plan and in reality several players stepped up to the mark. Michael Piper started to find excellent ground with his kicks from hand, constantly turning the Driffield defence and creating pressure in the oppositions 22. This was what the strong Cleckheaton pack wanted. A try from winger James Wilson and two more from Richard Piper following powerful rolling mauls, Ross Hayden adding two conversions, pushed the visitors into the lead for the first time on the hour mark. In the 65th minute Hayden once more found space to go over for a try wide out which he converted. Driffield replied five minutes later with a converted try which increased both the intensity on the pitch and the nail biting on the touchline. The visitors once more showed their skills in creating a second try for James Wilson but the final score came in the final seconds with another Kitching drop goal thus giving the home side two deserved losing bonus points .
An indication of just how far this Cleckheaton side has progressed was expressed after the match during the post match summaries of the travelling support. Last season this side may well have subsided into the acknowledgement that this was a bad day and would have taken the defeat. Not so this season. The team is a cohesive unit, they mix well off the field and they give the game their best shot. They can adapt when things are not going well and their string of victories starting with excellent pre season planning playing one team below them and two above has given confidence to the whole squad. There are only two changes to this season’s squad and it is now time that they reap the rewards of their hard work and planning.
Cleckheaton’s second team the Kestrels also gained a bonus point win 24-7 over Driffield’s seconds and now lie joint top of the Yorkshire Premiership second team league. The thirds narrowly lost to Barnsley and the 4ths had another excellent victory at Selby .Overall a very satisfactory day.