Cleckheaton win at home!

A much improved Kersal put Cleckheaton under pressure from the word go and but for players crossing could have been 7 points up early in the game. Kersal kept the pressure on and but for some quick thinking by Owen Edwards who’s kick from deep pushed them back 40 mts they could well have scored.

In the 22nd min Cleckheaton looked like they were going to open there account after the forwards had battled up to the Kersal 22, but what should have been a easy penalty for Edwards was sliced wide, Edwards had another chance 10 mins later from 40 mts out, but this again went wide. Kersal game back at Cleckheaton late on in the have and only some quick thinking by Ross Hayden and Ryan Duckett kept the score 0-0 at half time.

Cleckheaton started the 2nd half with a lot more urgency and were soon in Kersal’s 22, but missed a golden opportunity for a try by going the wrong way, but kept up the pressure and the reward came in the 50th min with a try from Duckett in the corner after the forwards had pushed up to within 5 mts and got the ball out to the backs, Edwards kick again going wide.

In the 56th min Kersal had Dale Garner binned, Edwards had a easy penalty kick to put Cleckheaton 8 pts up, to there credit Kersal kept Cleckheaton on the back foot and pull 3 pts back on 66 mins with a penalty from Sean Rodgers.

Late on in the game Cleckheaton rang the change’s and with Dudley on the field the scrum had more presence and Cleckheaton were soon back in Kersals 22, but like for both teams ball control was at a premium and the attack went to ground. In the dyeing mins of the game Kersal mounted a push for the line and only a try stopping tackle from Dudley saved the day and with Domanic Castle being binned in the 76th min Cleckheaton held on to the end with 14 men.