Newly promoted Malton/Norton were good value for their victory over Cleckheaton, although the visitors could so easily have gained the spoils had they had parity of possession especially in the lineouts.

The hosts opened the scoring with a penalty in the 5th minute but Cleckheaton soon responded with a try from winger Craig Blackburn which was converted by Ross Hayden. As a result of late changes the visitors defence seemed rather disorganised initially and Malton ran in three tries in the space of ten minutes, two of which were converted.

Cleckheaton rallied and increased their intensity with Richard Piper and Ryan Piercy to the fore. Ross Hayden, playing in the unaccustomed role of scrum half, reduced the arrears with a penalty and this was soon followed by two further tries from Martin Woodhead and Ryan Piercy, reducing the deficit at the break to two points.

Malton began the second half with obvious intent and inside two minutes scored their fourth try of the afternoon which was unconverted. Hayden missed a difficult penalty chance and very much against the run of play Malton scored a further try to seemingly seal the match. However, Cleckheaton once more showed great resilience and from a deft cross field kick from Peter Murphy, Martin Woodhead scored his second and his team's bonus point try. Ross Hayden was just wide with the conversion attempt.

Not the start envisaged for Cleckheaton but with several key players returning next week, an improvement is both hoped for and expected.