Cleckheaton 29 Malton&Norton 22

Cleckheaton got their season back on track with a bonus point win at a soggy Moorend. Tom Austin and Ryan Piercy missed out along with player coach Thiu Barnard leaving the pack without a recognised second row. Plunkett and Etchells normally back row forwards covered the positions, while Brad Marsden was unavailable.
Malton kicked off and a mix up in the home defence gave possession to the impressive 2nd row Jack Hobbs who charged downfield , the chance was lost by a supporting player nudging the the ball forward. Cleckheaton got a foothold in the visitors 22 and from a scrum , captain Matt Piper made a charge for the line but the referee deemed the ball to be held up. The next attack saw Cleckheaton almost breach the Malton defence after a good combination by Depledge and Wilson put Marshall into space but the winger was tackled into touch.
On 21 minutes from a scrum deep in the Malton 22, Dale Breakwell and Matt Piper exchanged passes and created a gap for Hayward to cross for his 9th try of the season in the corner, 5-0 .
Malton's pack was taking a bit of a battering in the scrum but the back line looked to be capable of scoring and from an attacking position outside half Bulmer threw a long pass the was intercepted by Dale Breakwell who galloped 60 metres down the field , Depledge was on hand and Hayward eventually crossed for his 10th try of the season to give Cleckheaton a 10-0 lead.
On 35 minutes, a perfect cross field kick from Breakwell sat up for Jack Marshall to gather 30 metres out , he blasted past the winger to score his 4th try of the season, Breakwell couldn't add the goal from the touchline but the lead was at 15-0. The next score came just before half time and it was a long range effort that started deep inside the Cleckheaton half, Depledge made a clean outside break and fed Hayward who gave a return pass to Depledge who raced under the posts for the bonus point try, Breakwell converted 22-0 at half time.
On 42 minutes , Malton opened their account when Bulmer sold an outrageous dummy that foxed the home defence and flanker Lowry was in support to cross for the try, 22-5. Breakwell and Marshall combined on 51 minutes for the pacy winger to cross for his 5th try of the season, Breakwell converted, that goal giving him 100 points for the season and the lead was 29-5.
From the restart, Seddon claimed the ball but was tackled in the air and Bowman was sent to the sin bin. Marshall joined him on the naughty step moments later after a contentious deliberate knock on decision. Chris Piper and Archie Rika Rayne gave some fresh legs replacing Andy Piper and Niall Jackson.
Bulmer got through the narrowest of gaps to score a good try on 62 minutes, he converted his own try 29-12. On 68 minutes , Bulmer got his 2nd try of the game to the left of the posts but screwed the conversion wide 29-17.
The final score of the game came after concerted pressure on the Cleckheaton line, Tom Lowry drove over from the rolling maul for Malton's bonus point try 29-22.
Cleckheaton will be happy to get back to winning ways after consecutive defeats, Malton picked up a losing bonus point in addition to the try bonus and will be rueing letting the game slip with 3 tries conceded in 7 sensational minutes before the break. All the Cleckheaton backs played well in attack , Depledge had a solid game in defence too but the Cleckheaton man of the match was awarded to the hard working Josh Plunkett.
No game next week, Cleckheaton will next be in action at local rivals Bradford and Bingley on 7th December , kick off at 2:15.