Cleckheaton Kestrels 26 - 20 Hull Ionians

Prolonged stoppages in a game can sometimes dampen enthusiasm, on other occasions it can give time for reflection and serve to reinvigorate. The latter was the case on Saturday for the Kestrels as they turned around a 15 point deficit to take the spoils from National 2 side, Hull Ionians.

The stoppage in play, which lasted for 30 minutes, was due to one of Hull’s forwards suffering a potentially serious neck injury. The player was taken away by ambulance to Dewsbury Hospital but thankfully allowed home an hour or 2 later, after an x-ray showed no lasting damage.

The Kestrels started this game with the throttle at 75% and allowed a mobile Ionians in for an early converted try. Hull added a further 3 points with a converted penalty from in front of the sticks, without Cleck ever really getting any sustained possession. At 10-0 down with only 10 minutes gone, it was going to be a long afternoon if the home side didn’t start to put in more first-up tackles.

Tackling and hence possession improved for the Kestrels from this point on but despite this, Ionians further extended their lead with a try in the corner to stretch their advantage to 15-0.

Facing an uphill battle the Kestrels began to dig deep and started playing some smarter rugby, keeping the ball tight and utilising their heavier pack to maul the ball up field. The Kestrels were rewarded with a penalty and went close from the resulting line-out. Ionians defence managed to hold firm but not without drifting offside, leading to another penalty 20 metres out. The field position gave the opportunity for the Kestrels to put on a planned move, which saw a small number of forwards drive towards the sticks before quick ball was spun out wide for Jarrad Tolson to score in the corner. The conversion was narrowly missed but at 15 – 5 the comeback had begun.

Cleckheaton continued to apply the pressure and were given another penalty 40 metres out, just before half time. Whilst weighing up whether to go for the corner or kick for goal, it became apparent that the Ionians player lying on the floor had a potentially serious injury. Out of concern for the injured man the half was ended there and as stated earlier, would not re-start for another 30 minutes.

Another less serious injury to one of Ionians front rowers meant that the game would recommence with uncontested scrums. With the time now close to 4:10pm and the game being a ‘Friendly’, both sides could easily have agreed to call it a day at that point. However, Ionians’ skipper was determined to see the game out and the 2nd half, shortened to 30 mins, got underway. Ionians belief that a non-scrummaging game would suit their mobility looked to be well founded soon afterwards, as their powerful winger rampaged up the touchline for a try in the corner, restoring their 15 point advantage.

This was to be the last time Ionians would trouble the scoreboard and for the remaining 25 minutes of the game the Kestrels played with outstanding determination. The three substitutes of Bashforth, Emmitt and Bradford University student, Mark Nattriss, all found space to run the ball. The latter, on his debut, having several forays upfield. On the back of one of these runs, the forwards drove close to the line before Chris Piper crossed it for a 5 pointer, increased to 7 by a Mike Piper conversion. The latter then turned provider, when he unselfishly but Tolson in for his 2nd of the afternoon and added the conversion to bring the score to a tantalising 19-20.

Ionians pressured the Cleckheaton line for a good 5 minutes, placing hearts in mouths on the touchline but manful defence kept Ionians at bay and some good clearance kicks took play back into Ionians’ half. From here, the forwards again trundled the ball close to the opposition line before Anthony Dyson wriggled his way over for the winning try. Piper added the extras and after successfully fielding the kick-off, the referee signalled the end of the game.

An excellent show of determination from the Kestrels bodes well for the remaining games of the season. With no fixture next week, the 2nds will be raring to go when they travel to Sheffield on March 20th.