Windy conditoins stop Cleckheaton

One enforced change meant Richard Piper had a chance to show his undoubted promise albeit in the unaccustomed position of second row. Tom Lauriston returned to the centre and former Halifax Lock Martin Smith made his debut.

Park opened the scoring in the eleventh minute when winger Andy Trotter went in for a try in the corner. Full Back Dave Hall converted. Hall missed a chance to put Park further ahead when his penalty attempt went wide but, following Ryan Burrows' yellow card, back row Ashley Oliver went over for a try. The conversion was missed.

Cleckheaton had to defend stoutly in the first half as the Park forwards drove at them, using the strong wind to put the visitors on the back foot. Stand off Handley was able to probe with kicks into Cleck territory and it was much to their credit that, given the pressure they were under Cleck were only twelve points down at the break.

Head Coach Craig West could be quietly pleased with his team's performance in the first half. However,Park's forwards were very adept at stealing Cleck's line-out possession and this area had to be improved if full advantage was to be taken of the strong wind now in their favour. The early signs were good and an Owen Edwards penalty in the 46th minute built confidence. Park's defence remained sound and this coupled with Cleck's inability to gain parity at the line enabled them to keep their noses in front.

Just past the hour mark it appeared that Cleck had narrowed the lead when a flowing handling movement was finished by Ross Hayden in the corner. However, following conversations between referee and home touch judge the try was disallowed, Hayden being adjudged to have hit the corner flag before scoring. The video replay was inconclusive.

Edwards reduced the arrears in the 70th minute and the rest of the half was fought out in the home 22 with Cleck's relentless pressure going ultimately unrewarded. To add further misery No8 Ryan Burrows was given a second yellow card for entering the ruck from the side and was sent off.

Cleckheaton have now lost three games to the top three sides in North One. All have been close and with two of the return games at home there is much optimism that the team's fortunes will improve.

There are some very talented individuals in the side and many have played at a higher level. However, the team as a whole has not yet reflected the ability of the individuals within it. It is surely only a matter of time before a consistency of performance is achieved.