Late drop goal wins it for Cleckheaton

Sheffield started well with the help of their big South African contingent, but Cleck weathered the early storm and it was Johnny West who scored the first points, with a penalty on 11 minutes - after narrowly missing a drop goal 2 mins earlier.

Sheffield hit back and were soon in Clecks 22 but Edwards, at full back, cleared the line and Cleck got back up field only for the ball to go to ground at that vital moment. West put Cleck further in front with a 40 metre penalty kick after the Tigers were guilty of blocking play.

Cleckheaton were soon back in the 22 when the Referee stopped play and warned Sheffield’s Captain about persistent infringing by one of his players. Cleckheaton had a chance to score a try but the ball was again lost. The Tigers now put Cleck on the back foot but with the line beckoning the referee pulled them back for a forward pass.

The Tigers kept the pressure on Cleckheaton’s defence until on the half hour mark, Edwards broke the line selling 3 dummies in the process. His run took him from his own 22 to within 10 mtrs of the Sheffield line but the last pass didn’t go to hand and the chance was lost.

Sheffield finally got on the board 3 mins later when from a quick tap penalty 5 mtrs out Zak Hill went in for a try, Tom Outrams kick falling short to leave the score at 6-5. With Sheffield having the best of the last 10 mins of the half, Cleckheaton had to defend hard after the referee again warned both sides for indiscipline.

Cleckheaton were under pressure from the start of the 2nd half, but kept their cool and soon pushed Sheffield back up field. Both sides were not playing at their best but it was Cleckheaton who got more points on the board when Johnny West kicked a penalty form under the sticks in the 49th min, following a high tackle by the Tigers.

Sheffield had a chance to pull 3pts back, but an easy kick in front of posts went wide. With the game on the boil the Referee finally put his hand in his pocket in the 63rd min and sent both Nick Pearson and Mark Chivers to the bin.

Sheffield seemed to have the best of the play late on in the game with Outram kicking 2 penalties in the 71st and 77th min to bring the score to a very nervous 12 -11. The victory was finally sealed when Owen Edwards charged down Sheffield’s late drop goal attempt to secure the 2 pts.