West Hartlepool 32 - 12 Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton took the field with a real prospect of recording their first win of 2009, having won the reverse fixture 31 – 0 at Moorend last November. However, beating Wests at their own ground is no easy task as confirmed by their commendable home record this season.

Cleck kicked the game-off angling into a fairly strong wind that ran diagonally across the pitch. From the kick reception Wests stated their intent as No 8, Paul Vinnicombe, gathered the ball and went on a rampaging run through the Cleck defence. He was eventually pulled down 20 metres out but an infringement by the Moorenders gave Paul Moss an easy penalty to put Wests 3 points up with only 2 minutes gone.

Cleckheaton knew they would have to battle harder if they wanted to get anything out of this game and they responded well. The forwards started to work harder and the backs started to find space. Stand-off, Dave Evans, made a number of jinking runs to open up Wests but each time lack of closer support meant these promising breaks were not converted into points. Cleck’s pressure on Wests eventually culminated in a try though, as a chip through from Craig Blackburn gave good field position from which Lance Hamilton barged his way over. The kick drifted wide but Cleckheaton had the lead at 5 - 3.

Wests responded in the 23rd minute with an unconverted try from Peter Hodgson before Cleck regained the advantage on the half hour mark, Mike Piper chipping over the home side’s defensive line and winning the race to touch the ball down. Ross Hayden added the extras and Cleck looked good value for their 12 – 8 lead. However, as the final score shows, this was to be the last time that Cleck troubled the scoreboard and a try at the end of the half by Wests was the precursor to an undisciplined and generally lack lustre second 40 minutes.

Wests started the second period with a 15 -12 lead and Cleck’s eventual undoing commenced soon after when Craig Rika received a yellow card for a professional foul. Wests took advantage of the numbers and prop Chris Stewart dived over for a try a minute later. The try was not converted and at 20 – 12, there was still ample time for Cleckheaton to make up the deficit. Cleck’s chance’s were enhanced 10 minutes later as Wests had one of their own men sin-binned for a dangerous tackle. Despite having the extra man, Cleck could not string together a scoring attack. With the clock ticking away, the tensions and self-doubt that have characterised many a recent second half, started to grow. Whilst Wests were a team of 14, Cleck reverted to playing as a set of 15 individuals, happy to criticise each other during game play rather than pulling each other round. With Wests back to full strength tensions spilled over and in the 67th minute Craig Rika received a second yellow card (becoming an automatic red) and was sent from the field of play.

Two tries in the last 10 minutes for Wests gave the final score line a slightly lob-sided look and to add to the woe, Ben Wade who had played well through-out, also received a yellow card. In the end, this was a disappointing result for Cleckheaton, who still need a win or two to guarantee their safety this season. In order to secure points from the remaining games, Cleck need to play as a team for the full 80 minutes. Taking collective responsibility for mistakes and pulling together when the opposition is getting on top, is something that every player needs to take responsibility for if we are to succeed.