Cleckheaton 19 Pocklington 26

Cleckheaton returned to sun drenched Moorend after last week's epic win at Heath looking to extend their winning run to 7 matches. For the first time several seasons there wasn't a Piper in the matchday squad, Richard Piper hadn't recovered from his ankle injury so Josh Plunkett filled in at Number 8 with Ryan Piercy in the second row. Niall Jackson , James Wilson and Robin Bennett filled the bench. Pocklington made the most of the early possession but on 6 minutes it was Cleckheaton who opened the scoring. Attacking from deep, Tom Hainsworth picked up a pass around his ankles and set off on a barnstorming run through the Pocklington back line to touchdown to the left of the posts, Breakwell adding the goal 7-0 . Pocklington got on the board on 13 minutes with a 25 metre penalty goal by Pollock, the same player added another penalty on 20 minutes 7-6, Dom Brambani was shown a Yellow Card for a high tackle. Cleckheaton added a second try in similar fashion to the first, Hainsworth burst through the first line of defence and drew the full back to send Jack Marshall across for his 15th try of the season, conversion was wide 12-6 on 30 minutes, the score remained 12-6 at half time. Archie Rika Rayne left the game with a shoulder injury, Niall Jackson replaced him.
Cleckheaton conceded several penalties close to there try line and eventually Pocklington crossed for a try by hooker Bell, converted by Pollock to give the visitors a narrow lead 12-13. Pocklington tightened up their defence considerably from the first half performance and they repelled the Cleckheaton attacks and won turn over ball regularly. Pollock added a 3rd successful penalty on 51 minutes 12-16. The game was turning into a great contest with both sides taking the ball in and getting knocked to the ground then launching counters all over the park. On 67 minutes , Cleckheaton dropped a pass in front of the stand and the Pocklington back row pounced and ran 50 metres for another try, conversion was missed but Cleckheaton were now 2 scores behind at 12-21. Cleckheaton won turnover ball on their 10 metre line and there was a swift exchange of passes in the backs but Tom Hainsworth just failed to cling onto the ball and the chance was lost. Thiu Barnard was shown the yellow card as tempers were getting a bit frayed.There was good work by Dom Flanagan , Jack Marshall and Ollie Depledge that put Mikey Hayward into space , he dived for the corner but was deemed to have lost the ball forward. To compound this , Pocklington worked an overlap down their left and crossed for the 3rd try the take the score out to 12-26. Cleckheaton needed a converted try now in the final minute and secured a losing bonus point when Ben Thrower controlled the rolling maul after a line out and crossed for his second try of the season, Breakwell duly added a goal from the touchline to take the score to 19-26 as the referee blew for time. Will Denham had to leave the game late kn with a nasty looking leg injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Cleckheaton will be disappointed to have lost on the day, but this was only their 2nd defeat in the last 12 games and they maintain 3rd place in the league after Heath managed to draw with Brodlieans. Next week, Cleckheaton travel to Silver Royd , Scarborough for a tasty encounter , kick off is at 3.00.