Beverley 5 - 29 Cleckheaton Kestrels

The Kestrels traveled to Beverley with just 15 men but this included 6 players making their season debut; Gareth Lamb, Ed Chappellow, Tom Clough, Ian Gresser, James Hesling and James Sargeant, who all added strength to the side.

Cleckheaton had the early ascendancy with front row trio of Carl Mason, Johnny Porritt and Neil Gillan making things difficult for the home side at each of their scrums and Ian Gresser and Simon Quinn disturbing their line-out. This pressure should have turned into more first half tries as first Matt Wood got over the line only to be held up and pushed back into the field of play and then two clear 2-on-1 chances with the line beckoning, were pulled back for forward passes.

Despite these setbacks it looked only a matter of time before Cleck took the lead. The first try duly came on the 20 minute mark when Tom Clough, playing at fullback, caught Beverley's kick down field and with speed to burn, broke down the left wing brushed off a couple of tackles and scored in the corner. The conversion was missed. Ten minutes later the Kestrels extended their lead when Neil Gillan took a tap penalty from scrum-half Antony Dyson and with a push from the supporting pack, barged his way over the line. Craig Blackburn added the extras to make the score 12 - 0.

At this point with five or ten minutes left in the half and with a two try lead, the Kestrels really took their foot off the gas. Credit to Beverley though as they strengthened their resolve and mounted several attacks on Cleckheaton's line before being rewarded with a try from their winger. The conversion was missed and the scoreboard read 12 - 5 at the interval.

Cleck knew they'd have to up their effort again in the 2nd half if they wanted to seal the win. This they did and it wasn't long before Tom Clough was in for his second try. Again this came from a kick return as the fullback broke a half tackle from Beverley's centre before glinding round their full back to complete an 80 metre run.

At this point Ian Gresser had to leave the field with a hamstring injury and thanks to Beverley's spirit of fair play was replaced by Gavin, a sub that Beverley lent us from their Colts.

Cleck progression was not halted as a result of the changes and Craig Blackburn scored next. The try came after good work from the Cleck pack took play up to Beverley's 22 and then fast hands from James Wilson saw the ball spun to the right wing where James Sargeant was waiting in acres of space. With what appeared to be commendable unselfishness, Sargeant allowed Beverley's cover tackling prop to catch him, so that he could tip the ball back inside for Blackburn to get the try.

Cleck were unlucky not to get a further score over on the left wing a few minutes later when the final pass to Tom Barlow was adjudged to be forward. However it wasn't long before Blackburn rounded off the scoring with a final try when he caught a high pass from Wilson, threw a dummy and seized the opportunity to race through the ensuing gap in the defensive line.

This was a much improved performance from the Kestrels who played some really good rugby at times during the match.