Cleckheaton welcomed Pocklington to Moorend today , the home team were looking for their first win of the season , whilst Pocklington were looking to add to their solitary win this campaign. In team news , Cleckheaton had Tom Breakwell at full back replacing Dom Brambani, Wade Laycock started at hooker with Jack Milner starting at 8 with Luke Pearson moving into the second row.
Pocklington started strongly and were on the scoreboard on 2 minutes with a converted try after a catch and drive from a lineout, 0-7. On 15 minutes, the visitors had doubled the lead , forcing over from close range after Cleckheaton conceded a penalty 0-14. On 19 minutes, Pocklington got a third try after Cleckheaton conceded another penalty and the result was similar to the first try 0-21 and Cleckheaton were in trouble having had virtually no possession to work with. It didn’t get any better as a rampant Pocklington got a bonus point try with a stroll into the right corner, the conversion was wide but the visitors held a commanding 0-26 lead. Cleckheaton did get a look at the Pocklington try line but couldn’t cross the whitewash and on 33 minutes , Pocklington broke away down the left after a couple of missed tackles in midfield, the inevitable try followed with a conversion and a 0-33 lead was secured. On 38 minutes, Cleckheaton attacked down the right and when Sam Vernon was hauled down with a very suspicious high tackle , he reacted to his assailant and was dispatched to the sin bin by referee David Rhodes. With the final move of the half , Cleckheaton crossed for a try by Luke Pearson with Dale Breakwell adding the goal 7-33 at half time.
The second half started with Cleckheaton conceding another penalty in front of the posts , kick was good 7-36 on 43 minutes. The next score came from a pinpoint kick cross field from Dale Breakwell into the arms of Jack Marshall who ducked under the challenge and crossed for his first try of the season, Dale Breakwell converted 14-36 after 49 minutes.
On 54 minutes , Pocklington got their 6th try after the outside centre broke a tackle and scored to the right of the posts, conversion was missed, 14-41. On the hour after Cleckheaton lost possession, the visitors raced away for a converted try 14-48. On 67 minutes, Rich Noble ran on to a short pass and touched down which Dale Breakwell converted 21-48. On 76 minutes , after numerous penalties had been awarded against Pocklington , the Number 8 was sent to the bin and Rich Noble and Rory Woolett combined to give Cleckheaton a bonus point try, Breakwell again converted to take the score to 28-48. On 80 minutes, Pocklington slotted a 40 metre penalty 28-51. The last word went to Cleckheaton with Marshall crossing for his 2nd try with Breakwell adding another conversion , final score 35-51. Next week , Cleckheaton are at home against Wetherby which will be a first league meeting between the teams, kick off at 3:00pm.