Cleckheaton 29 Ilkley 23

Cleckheaton faced Ilkley in a rearranged fixture today after last week's fixture fell victim to a waterlogged pitch. Both teams made changes to the line ups , for Cleckheaton , Hayward, Plunkett and Howarth were unavailable , Wilson, Tom Breakwell and Matt Beasty started with Sam Womersley on the right wing. Thrower , Iwanjeko and Richard Noble were on the bench.
Cleckheaton made the better start, pinning Ilkley back inside their 22. The ball was moved to the right and Tom Hainsworth spun out of a tackle to touch down for his 10th try of the season, Dale Breakwell added the conversion from the touchline 7-0 after 4 minutes. Ilkley couldn't get out of their own half and it was no surprise when the next try came on 14 minutes. Once again, the ball was spread to the right with a penalty advantage, when that move came to nothing, the referee brought play back for the penalty which Tom Breakwell took quickly and Bradley Marsden crashed over in the left corner for his 4th try of the season, Dale Breakwell was unsuccessful with the extras, 12-0. Cleckheaton scored a third try on 21 minutes, again ball to the right by the backs and Jack Marshall strolled in for his 9th try of the season, Dale Breakwell added the conversion 19-0.
On 27 minutes , Ilkley got on the scoreboard after putting several good phases together for a converted try, 19-7. Cleckheaton took the ball back down the field and Sam Womersley got put into space down the right wing , making good ground he passed inside to Dom Brambani who crossed for his 1st try of the season, Dale Breakwell converted , 26-7 after 34 minutes.
Ilkley then put together the best spell of keeping possession on 37 minutes, going close on 3 occasions, each time , Cleckheaton infringed and the Referee lost patience and Tom Breakwell was dispatched to the sin bin. Ilkley took advantage by scoring their second converted try with the last move of the half 26-14 at the break.
Into the second half and Ilkley were making progress towards the Cleckheaton line, again , an infringement and this time the penalty goal was kicked to reduce the arrears to 26-17 after 47 minutes. More pressure from the Dalesmen and another penalty was kicked 26-20 on 56 minutes. It was getting very tense , Cleckheaton couldn't secure any possession in the Ilkley half and the errors were creeping up.
A rare visit into Ilkley territory saw Cleckheaton awarded a penalty , up stepped Dale Breakwell and it was a 9 point game at 29-20 on the hour.
More pressure from Ilkley and more penalties awarded, unfortunately the Ilkley goal kicker showed he was human by missing 2 kicks from the left side before landing a 3rd penalty with 8 minutes to play 29-23.
The tension continued right to the final whistle, resolute defence by Cleckheaton prevented their line being crossed in the second half and they were hanging on at the end.
The win, Cleckheaton's 4th in a row, secured the status in North East One for next season, with 3 games to play , next week its Harrogate away with a 3.00pm kick off.