Cleckheaton welcomed Harrogate to a wet and blustery Moorend on Saturday for what proved to be an entertaining encounter. The visitors had returned to regional level after a brief flirtation with the national league above and it was soon clear that they possessed a sizeable pack and highly mobile backs. It was one of the latter that gave them an early lead when scything through an opening in the Cleckheaton defence to score under the posts, with the conversion duly added.

The game then settled down to an even contest with both sides having periods of pressure. Harrogate were strong in the tackle but Cleckheaton competed superbly in the loose. Their lineout too functioned extremely well in the conditions, even to the extent of stealing a couple of Harrogate throws, and they deservedly drew level in the 28th minute. A high kick from skipper Dale Breakwell caused confusion in the Harrogate defence and winger Lewis Taylor was able to snatch the ball and race away for a try converted by Breakwell. Five minutes later, however, Harrogate retook the lead when they were able to utilise their forward strength in a series of drives that eventually paid dividends with a second converted try, and as the half ended a Cleckheaton yellow card added insult to injury.

Half time: Cleckheaton 7 Harrogate 14

On the resumption the game continued to be very even with neither side in the ascendancy until Harrogate increased their lead in the 50th minute in very unfortunate circumstances for the home team. A speculative kick through towards the Cleckheaton line seemed to pose little danger as two defenders were in close attendance, but crucially they each left it to the other allowing the token follow up by a Harrogate player to be rewarded with a try under the posts, duly converted.

Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, however, Cleckheaton roared back into contention. In the 54th minute a Breakwell penalty after strong pressure reduced the arrears and four minutes later more pounding of the Harrogate line created space for scrum half Tom Egan to stroll over unopposed. Breakwell again converted and at 17-21 there were genuine hopes among the home supporters that, with a strengthening wind at their backs, Cleckheaton could pull off the victory.

Sadly it was not to be. A series of penalties were conceded and, coupled with two further yellow cards that left them with only thirteen players at one stage, the pendulum swung decisively in Harrogate’s favour. Their pack again camped on the home line and were able to grind out two further tries, one converted, to cement their victory in a final score did not really reflect the closeness of the contest.

Cleckheaton put a tremendous effort in and deserved something from the game. The scrum held up very well, the lineout was excellent and they were the equal of their opponents in the loose. Their back play perhaps lacked the incisiveness often shown by the visitors but to a man the whole side demonstrated the spirit and endeavour that will surely lead to improved results. The number of penalties and yellow cards conceded were perhaps the only blemish on an otherwise splendid performance.

‘They certainly don’t look like a side at the bottom of the league’ was a comment heard from the ranks of the Harrogate supporters during the game and if the level of commitment shown on Saturday is maintained they soon won’t be.