Cleckheaton made a valiant second-half comeback in this fixture away at York but the blitz from the home side in the first half proved too great to overcome. Cleckheaton were without Brad Marsden who was unavailable due to work commitments and Andy Piper who was carrying an injury. Charlie McGovern and Archie Rika-Rayne Took their places in the starting line up, whilst Chris Piper and Gus Milborne joined the bench, with the latter being given his first team debut.

Cleckheaton may have been lulled into a false sense of security after playing a slightly depleted West Hartlepool last weekend but York, on this showing, are a different prospect all together. They played the game with electric pace and their expansive backs were used to great effect. The home team scored five first half tries, claiming a try scoring bonus point after only 24 minutes. Cleckheaton struggled to retain much useful possession but did manage a push over try, which was grounded by Ben Thrower, following good work at the line out and a penalty from the boot of Dale Breakwell.

Thiu Barnard brought Jack Seddon into the fray on the half hour mark, looking to bring an attacking spark to the team but this did not stem York’s flow and as the sides changed ends Cleckheaton were staring at a thrashing, with the scoreboard reading 35 – 10 to York.

The coaching team blasted out some home truths to the Cleck players at half-time and this seemed to do the trick. The side restarted the game with renewed vigour but without James Wilson and Joey Carley with rib and shoulder injuries respectively, which will effect them beyond the current game. Chris Piper and Gus Milborne joined the action and Cleckheaton got on the scoresheet only a few minutes after the restart. Good recycling and hard work from the forwards led to a Josh Plunkett try. It was now all Cleckheaton with the back row of Austin, McGovern and Seddon winning the battle on the ground and Cleck’s scrum looking improved with Chris Piper adding his strength and experience. The back line was functioning well with Matt Piper and Olly Depledge supplying winger, Mikey Hayward and fullback, Jack Marshall with plenty of ball for them to fox York’s defence with their elusive running. York’s cause was not helped by having a man in the sin bin and within minutes Cleckheaton scored again via Ryan Piercy with Breakwell adding the extras. Fifteen minutes into the 2nd half and Cleck claimed their try scoring bonus point when Tom Breakwell went in for Cleckheaton’s 4th, which brother Dale converted.

Cleckheaton were now within just six points of their opponents and if they had gone on to take the lead it would’ve been one of the greatest comebacks in recent times. Despite the extra fitness which Cleckheaton are clearly displaying this season, legs were getting weary and York found a small gap in the Cleck defence and prized it open to score another try. This took the game away from The Moorenders who were now trailing by 13 points and York went on to add another score in injury time to make the final result look more comfortable than it would’ve felt at one point for many on the touchline.

Cleckheaton lost this game in the first 20 minutes, a fact which the players are well aware of. This shouldn’t take anything away from York though, who were excellent in the first half. This week we welcome Durham City to the club for the first time in a number of years. Kick off is 3pm.