Cleckheaton 25 Driffield 23

Cleckheaton entertained Driffield at Moorend and came away with the points in an excellent contest.
Driffield had the better of the early exchanges playing with the wind and duly took the lead on 6 minutes with a penalty goal after Cleckheaton infringed at the breakdown 0-3.
Driffield were still in control with Cleckheaton giving away too many penalties when a counter attack down the left wing with Flanagan, Hayward and Marshall exchanging passes before handing on to Richard Piper who got across for his 9th try of the season, Dale Breakwell added the conversion 7-3 on 17 minutes. Driffield were defending inside their 22 when the Referee blew for an offence and after some debate , Dale Breakwell slotted an excellent goal 5 metres in from touch on 21 minutes to extend the lead to 10-3. Cleckheaton were still conceding penalties and were down to 14 men when Mikey Hayward was sin binned for a high tackle. The Driffield full back added 2 penalties on 28 and 38 minutes to reduce the arrears to 10-9 before Dale Breakwell dropped a 20 metre goal on the next attack on 39 minutes 13-9. With time running out, an excellent kick into the wind found the touchline for a 50-22 and from the line out, Marsden won good ball and the maul rumbled forward for hooker Robin Bennett to touchdown for his 2nd try of the season, Dale Breakwell again converted and Cleckheaton held a 20-9 half time lead.
Into the second half and Cleckheaton were applying plenty of pressure , on two occasions forcing Driffield to ground the ball in goal and conceding 5 metre scrums. From a line out on the right Dom Brambani sliced through the defence, handing on to Jack Marshall who found Robin Bennett lurking on the left wing , he was making his way to the try line before a desperate last ditch tackle stopped his adventure 5 metres short of the line. On 60 minutes, the ball was spread to the right , Marshall again involved , giving a scoring pass to Tom Breakwell wide on the right wing for his 1st try of the season, conversion was missed, 25-9.
Driffield were guilty of coughing up possession in contact on a regular basis but Cleckheaton couldn't capitalise and add to their score. On 69 minutes, Driffield battered their way to the Cleckheaton line and eventually touched down for a converted try 25-16. On 76 minutes, Driffield added another try which was again converted 25-23 to set up a thrilling finale.
With a minute to go, Cleckheaton were camped inside the Driffield 22 but a penalty was awarded and Driffield swept downfield, recycling the ball readily , but terrific home defence kept them at bay , deep into the Cleckheaton 22 , Driffield knocked on and the final chance was gone as the referee whistled for full time.
An excellent game and 4 points for the home team and a move up to 8th place on the league table.