Back
Sat 15 Jan 2011 · Division Two
Leodiensian 2nd XV
Kestrels
13
15
Tries: L QueeleyConversions: R BennettPenalties: R Bennett
Old Leodensians 13 – 15 Cleckheaton Kestrels
Neil Gillan21 Jan 2011 - 17:36
Share via
Important Win For Kestrels
The Kestrels re-started their 2010/11 league campaign with an important win away at Leodensians. The Kestrels have lost just 2 games all season, one of which was a narrow defeat by the Leeds men at Moorend back in October. In order to stay in this year’s race for top spot it was essential that Cleckheaton reversed the result and claimed the 4 league points away from home.
To make the task more difficult, the Kestrels had a few enforced changes from previous weeks with Jarred Toulson, Gareth Lamb and Daz Terry being unavailable due to other commitments and Mark Fletcher, Adam Stanley and Tom Clapham being out due to injury. Cleck did however, welcome back Robin Bennett and gave starting debuts to Lee Queeley and Chris Wilson, the latter recommencing his rugby career after last playing for our colts side 8 years ago.
The game took place on a gloomy day, on a boggy pitch, with a ball that handled like a bar of soap. Throw in two sides that have only played 1 game of rugby in the last 6 weeks and it is not surprising that an error-strewn affair would follow. The Kestrels conceded 2 early penalties for infringements around the ruck, giving Leo’s a 6 - 0 lead, However, between these indiscretions Cleck showed that they could break down Leos’ defence, particulary down the right hand side, with Tom Brook breaking the line from fulback and Lee Queeley testing the oppositions’ defence on the outside on a number of occassions. It was from one such attack that the Kestrel’s registered their first points when Aiden Bullen found Brook and he took on the defence before passing to Queeley, who had too much strength to be denied from 10 metres out. Robin Bennett added the extras to give Cleck a 7-6 lead.
Leos hit back with their only try of the game, following a penalty and well set up line-out. The conversion was added and on the 25 minute mark Leo’s had moved into a 13-7 lead. Cleckheaton showed re-newed determination following this score, repeatly pressurising Leos’ line and could have scored on a number of occasions.with better execution, particularly in the case of one 2-on-1, which seemed easier to score that not score. The Kestrels did eventually get some reward for their efforts when Mitch Ashworth finished off another flowing move down Cleckheaton’s right hand side. The conversion was missed but at the break Cleck were just a point adrift at 13-12.
The 2nd 40 minutes of this game was not pretty as errors were aplenty and the referee took to the whistle with increasing regularity. Cleck pressed Leo’s line early on and were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks 5 minutes after the restart. This opportunity was quickly converted into 3 points via the boot of Bennett and the Kestrels went in to a 15-13 lead. The score would not advance any further during the last half hour or so of the match, with play largely taking place in the middle third of the field.
When the referee eventually blew for fulltime, the Kestrels had achieved their mission for the afternoon and come away with the points. This was not a classic game by any means but a very important win for the Cleck side. Good performances from Queeley, Ashworth, Bullen and Brook ultimatley proved the difference between the two teams and this result will help propel the Kestrels towards that top spot as the season turns the corner towards the home straight.
To make the task more difficult, the Kestrels had a few enforced changes from previous weeks with Jarred Toulson, Gareth Lamb and Daz Terry being unavailable due to other commitments and Mark Fletcher, Adam Stanley and Tom Clapham being out due to injury. Cleck did however, welcome back Robin Bennett and gave starting debuts to Lee Queeley and Chris Wilson, the latter recommencing his rugby career after last playing for our colts side 8 years ago.
The game took place on a gloomy day, on a boggy pitch, with a ball that handled like a bar of soap. Throw in two sides that have only played 1 game of rugby in the last 6 weeks and it is not surprising that an error-strewn affair would follow. The Kestrels conceded 2 early penalties for infringements around the ruck, giving Leo’s a 6 - 0 lead, However, between these indiscretions Cleck showed that they could break down Leos’ defence, particulary down the right hand side, with Tom Brook breaking the line from fulback and Lee Queeley testing the oppositions’ defence on the outside on a number of occassions. It was from one such attack that the Kestrel’s registered their first points when Aiden Bullen found Brook and he took on the defence before passing to Queeley, who had too much strength to be denied from 10 metres out. Robin Bennett added the extras to give Cleck a 7-6 lead.
Leos hit back with their only try of the game, following a penalty and well set up line-out. The conversion was added and on the 25 minute mark Leo’s had moved into a 13-7 lead. Cleckheaton showed re-newed determination following this score, repeatly pressurising Leos’ line and could have scored on a number of occasions.with better execution, particularly in the case of one 2-on-1, which seemed easier to score that not score. The Kestrels did eventually get some reward for their efforts when Mitch Ashworth finished off another flowing move down Cleckheaton’s right hand side. The conversion was missed but at the break Cleck were just a point adrift at 13-12.
The 2nd 40 minutes of this game was not pretty as errors were aplenty and the referee took to the whistle with increasing regularity. Cleck pressed Leo’s line early on and were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks 5 minutes after the restart. This opportunity was quickly converted into 3 points via the boot of Bennett and the Kestrels went in to a 15-13 lead. The score would not advance any further during the last half hour or so of the match, with play largely taking place in the middle third of the field.
When the referee eventually blew for fulltime, the Kestrels had achieved their mission for the afternoon and come away with the points. This was not a classic game by any means but a very important win for the Cleck side. Good performances from Queeley, Ashworth, Bullen and Brook ultimatley proved the difference between the two teams and this result will help propel the Kestrels towards that top spot as the season turns the corner towards the home straight.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
