Cleckheaton were looking to record a 3rd win this season but were thwarted by a well drilled York outfit.
James Wilson returned at full back while Jack Marshall was unavailable, also returning for a first appearance this season was Dom Brambani at Inside Centre allowing Mike Hayward to take up his usual role on the Left Wing on his 100th appearance for Cleckheaton.
York kicked off and were quickly on the attack but Cleckheaton defence was solid. On 4 minutes Tom Hainsworth was shown a Yellow Card for an alleged high tackle . Reduced to 14 men, it was grim determination that kept the line intact but on 12 minutes a chip ahead was gathered by Ross White who offloaded the ball for Scholey to score the opening try which was converted by Cusack 7-0.
3 minutes later, Richard Piper controlled the maul after Brad Marsden had taken line out ball and he crashed over the line near the corner flag , Dale Breakwell was wide with the kick.7-5. On Cleckheaton's next possession, some great sleight of hand in midfield saw Mike Hayward slice through the York defence for a try converted by Breakwell which gave Cleckheaton a 7-12 lead. Hainsworth made a great break down the left, Wilson was in support but the final pass yo Hayward was adjudged to be forward.
Joe Flanagan was then penalised for a late tackle and from the restart , York got into the Cleckheaton 22 , a further penalty was awarded and York crossed for their 2nd try of the gamethrough captain Ross White, conversion good 14-12. There was some fantastic interplay by the York team, forwards and backs moved the ball both left and right but the move ended with Hayward forcing his opposition wing into touch. When Cleckheaton failed to find touch , York countered in midfield and a kick and chase into the in goal area was just won by Toby Atkin who touched down to extend the lead to 21-12 leading to half time.
Early in the second half, Cleckheaton were holding possession inside the York 22 but were penalised and York cleared downfield. Robin Bennett then received a Yellow Card for a high tackle with both teams on a warning. York took immediate advantage and the front row rumbled their way forward and No .8 Willem Enslin got over the tryline for the bonus point score on 53 mins, 28-12. If Cleckheaton were going to get anything out of the game the needed the next score. After successive penalties down the right , Cleckheaton swung the ball across the field , Breakwell and Brambani fed Dom Flanagan who sold an outrageous dummy to cross for the try , Breakwell converted , 28-19 , all this happening while Bennett was on the naughty step. It could have got even closer as Breakwell produced a 50-22 kick and a half break by Hainsworth might have paid off but possession was turned over and the chance was lost. On 66 minutes, Bennett having returned to the field minutes earlier had a grab at a York player trying to take a quick penalty and was shown his second Yellow card which led to a Red Card being shown. A minute later , more trouble as Joe Flanagan was Yellow Carded leaving Cleckheaton down to 13 men for the next 10 minutes. The beleaguered Cleckheaton scrum was under pressure and after a scrum went against the head, the backs moved left and Woofinden crossed for York in the corner for their 5th try, 33-21.
At the restart , York fumbled the ball, Ollie Depledge went on a blindside charge and he fed Josh Plunkett who scored Cleckheaton a bonus point try , the successful conversion put 13 man Cleckheaton in with a chance of 2 league points if they didn't concede in the remainder of the game, they held on , defeated but could hold their heads up high after a committed and full blooded performance, final score York 33-26 Cleckheaton.
Next week, Cleckheaton have Billingham visiting Moorend , kick off at 3.00 pm