Cleckheaton Kestrels 21 - 24 Leodensians

Though we are only in the early stages of this year’s Merit League, last Saturday brought unbeaten table toppers Leodensians to Moorend to face the Kestrels. Leo’s would ultimately claim the points but not without a tremendous battle from which Cleck would emerge with the consolation of a bonus point.

The visitors started strongly and denied the Kestrels possession of the ball in the first 5 minutes. The Moorenders admirable defence kept Leos’ large pack at bay as they repeatedly took ball from the backs of rucks and charged into Cleckheaton’s line. When the Kestrels eventually got their hands on the ball they made good headway into Leos final quarter and from here excellent forward driving down the right hand flank drew the visitors’ defence and quick ball back across the line from Toulson and Lamb, created an overlap for Tom Clapham to score. Toulson obliged with the extras and Cleck had a 7-0 lead.

A moment of relaxation allowed Leos’ to get on the board when the ball was moved out to Cleck’s right and 3 separate half tackles were not enough to prevent the visitors’ winger crossing the whitewash in the corner. The conversion was missed and with 20 minutes gone it was a 2 point ball game. Following more good but fruitless work from the Kestrels, Leos mounted another breakaway challenge and were adjudged to have been illegally denied quick ball, resulting in the award of a penalty and a sin binning for Nathan Clayton. With the Kestrels pack down to 7 men, the visitors opted for the scrum and duly drove Cleckheaton over the line to go into a 10-7 lead.

With only a few seconds left to go on the sin bin, Leos were again in the home side’s danger zone but Cleck managed to turn over the ball a yard out. The defending kick was charged down by Leos and touched down in goal by one of the Kestrels’ players. Rather than the 22 drop-out which was the expected outcome, the referee gave the attacking side a 5 metre scrum from which their scrum-half dived in for another try. This score was improved and at the half time whistle the Kestrels were behind 7-17.

The Kestrels needed to start the second half well knowing a converted try would put them right back in it. Unfortunately though, they were to fall further behind when good forward play from Leos contracted Cleck’s defence and created a walk-in try for their outside centre.

At this point in the last couple of seasons, with Leos 24 – 7 in front, an air of resignation could have fallen on the side but the Kestrels are much more determined this year and worked hard to get back into the game. Good attacking and defending options from Forwards and Backs took play close to Leo’s line and earned Cleckheaton a 5 metre scrum. Leo’s back row broke early and the Kestrels were awarded a penalty from which Neil Gillan barged his way over. Toulson converted and with 20 mins to go the lead was reduced to 10 points.

All the action was coming from the Kestrels now as they mounted raid after raid on Leos’ line. Eventually it was Ed Chappelow who broke through, spinning in the tackle for a well earned score. Toulson’s kick brought the score to 21-24 and there was a real sense of belief that the game could go Cleckheaton’s way. However in the end Leos held firm and despite a tantalising run from Conner Davis after the referee had called ‘last play’, Cleck were left with just a losing bonus point.