Cleckheaton travelled to Pocklington looking to record a second away win against a team that had recorded just 2 wins this season.
Tom Austin was injured last week and was replaced by Brad Marsden, Gus Milborne was on the bench with Ben Thrower and Chris Piper.
Pocklington went on the attack from the start and appeared to be dominating the scrums, rucks and mails and it came as no surprise when Cleckheaton conceded a penalty giving Christian Pollack a simple kick at goal, 3-0.
Cleckheaton had very little possession in the early going but an accurate cross field kick put Hayward into space but he was thwarted by the referee's whistle.On 12 minutes the hosts extended their lead when good support play led to a try to Richardson, converted by Pollack, 10-0. It didn't improve for Cleckheaton when a promising move broke down and Pocklington swept downfield , from the maul that developed 15 metres from the line , Pocklingtons pack drove over the tryline to extend the lead to 15-0. On 25 minutes Jackson and Rika Rayne were replaced by Piper and Thrower and this stabilised the scrum. On 30 minutes , Pocklington got a third try through Pollack who strode through a huge gap in the defensive line while Depledge was having treatment , Pollack added the goal and the lead was considerable at 22-0. On 38 minutes , after winning line out ball on the 5 metre line , Ryan Piercy drove over the line for his 3rd try of the season, Breakwell missed the goal and at half time Cleckheaton trailed 22-5.
Early in second half , Joey Carley left the field with an injury, Gus Milborne replaced him and when another catch and drive from the line out made ground Ben Thrower crossed for his 5 try of the season, Breakwell added the goal and Cleckheaton were back in contention at 22-12.
Referee Andy Baker suspended play on 58 minutes after Ryan Piercy suffered a serious ankle injury and had to be removed by ambulance. We wish him a speedy recovery from his injury. The game continued on an adjacent pitch after a 15 minute delay, Cleckheaton were driving downfield with some purpose when Matt Piper had the ball stripped by a Pocklington forward who was clearly off his feet on the blind side of the official, the counter attack down the right led to a try in the corner. In the melee that followed Tom Breakwell was sent to the sin bin but with 8 minutes to go Pocklington led 27-12.
There was a glimmer of hope when Jack Marshall put James Wilson clear and he powered past the final defender for a fine try on 75 minutes to set up a grandstand finish 27-17.
The last 5 minutes were very tense , the Pocklington second row was yellow carded to even the numbers up but Cleckheaton couldn't break through to get a 4th try and into bonus point range. The referee brought proceedings to an end in the gloom final score Pocklington 27 Cleckheaton 17.
Next Saturday Cleckheaton entertain Malton & Norton at Moorend, kick off at 2:15