Despite the inclement weather over the last few weeks Moorend was in good condition for this clash between two teams who have experienced contrasting fortunes over the season to date. It is probably one of the mysteries of the season why Sheffield have failed to live up to their pre season tag as one of the promotion prospects. The reality is however that if you lose a few key players and then have injuries then results are difficult to gain and confidence falls. In complete contrast Cleckheaton have been relatively free from injuries and lost only two key players from last season's first team squad. On top of that, confidence is sky high and the players look comfortable with a game plan which is both expansive and powerful and a pattern which draws on the particular strengths of the team.If you have a dominant line out and a mauling pack which dominates the close quarter situations you use it. Moreover, this side is more than one dimensional. Pace out wide, power in midfield and key individuals playing at the top of their game makes the sum of their parts an irresistible force.
The early signs were clear for all to see. Cleckheaton were up for the challenge and were not going to let Sheffield settle into a pattern. In the sixth minute the home pack set up their renowned driving maul from a line out and Richard Piper was in the driving seat to be awarded the first try. Ross Hayden missed the conversion but was successful ten minutes later when he converted a try from Matt Piper. The home side continued to press but in the twentieth minute Sheffield hit back when a loose pass in midfield was intercepted by skipper Tom Womack who sprinted 65 metres to the line for an opportunist try which was unconverted.
It took Cleckheaton only three minutes to hit back when,from a scrum forty metres out Michael Piper gave a disguised pass to Matt Piper who sucked in the visitors defence before passing to the supporting Ross Hayden who scorched to the line for a beautiful try which he converted.Two further tries from Richard Piper and James Wilson before half time, one of which was converted by Ross Hayden put the home side in the ascendancy at the break.
Cleckheaton now had the bit between their teeth and inside five minutes of the second half Richard Piper had completed his hat trick, the second in successive weeks, following a bout of inter passing involving forwards and backs driving the ball up field.Ross Hayden converted and he also added the extras to a Martin Woodhead try on the hour mark.
Sheffield were always competitive and never gave up, but their opponents were playing at the top of their game and Cleckheaton's superiority was emphasised by a late try for the ever alert James Wilson which was converted by the league's leading points scorer Ross Hayden.
This was not only a convincing win on the scoreboard but the overall performance will be very pleasing to the coaching staff and the supporters alike as the season progresses towards a hopefully successful denouement in April.