Cleckheaton made the short journey to Hipperholme to meet Old Brodlieans for the first time in league action since January 2022. There were several changes from last weeks team, Sam Shepherd and Sam Vernon came into the back row replacing Luke Pearson and Eaglestone, Tom Breakwell started at 9 with Rory Woolett moving to centre.
Cleckheaton kicked off up the slope and were first on the board after winning a lineout on the right the ball got to Jack Marshall on the opposite flank and he put in a cross kick that bounced nicely from Woolett to score his 4th try of the season, Dale Breakwell added the conversion and Cleckheaton led 7-0 after 6 minutes. Brodlieans reduced the lead on 9 minutes with a penalty goal 7-3. On 18 minutes , Brods got their first try of the game, a break from the scrum half and support on his shoulder for a simple try under the posts with the conversion added 7-10 . On 20 minutes Noble put in a good run down the right and fed Booth but he was tackled short of the line and lost the ball in contact. On 31 minutes , after Brods recovered a high kick , the hooker was on hand to score a try , conversion was good and Brods extended the lead to 17-7. Brods were starting to assert and the Cleckheaton scrum was getting pushed off the ball at an alarming rate. Half time arrived with the score still at 17-7.
With the slope in their favour , Cleckheaton needed to score early to get into the game but on 44 minutes , the hosts added a 3rd try to the tally with simple passing and support play, adding the goal 24-7. On 49 minutes, Woolett was held up short of the line, it seemed that he released the ball in the tackle and somehow collected it again and forced his way over the try line from close range, Dale Breakwell added the goal 24-14. On 57 minutes, Cleckheaton conceded a penalty to the left of the posts and the lead was back to 27-14. Marshall made good yards down the left wing but his kick into midfield was collected by the full back who ran it into the space vacated by Marshall before finding support inside for another try and goal to take the score out to 34-14. The last score of the game went to Cleckheaton, replacement Veron Dhesi crossing for a try in the corner with Dale Breakwell adding the goal , final score Brods 34-21.
Cleckheaton now have lost 14 consecutive games, dating back to November last year when they defeated Sandal 35-20. Next week , Cleckheaton travel to Moortown to play the current league leaders, kick off is 3:00pm.