Cleckheaton 26 Kendal 15

Cleckheaton faced Kendal at a blustery Moorend today, the first meeting between the teams in 3 years. Cleckheaton were unchanged from last week with the exception of Chris Piper taking his place on the bench .
The wind was blowing across the field and the pitch was soft underfoot after recent rain but was perfectly playable.
Kendal went on the attack from the start and when outside half Glen Weightman sliced through the defence, Rory Blankney -Edwards was on hand to take the scoring pass , Weightman slipped as the kick was taken but Kendal took a 0-5 lead. A few minutes later Cleckheaton were back on level terms with hooker Ben Thrower forcing his way over the whitewash for his 6th try of the season. Dale Breakwell was wide with the kick 5-5.
Kendal were trying to get their backline e moving but seemed to kick a lot of possession away whilst Wilson , Hayward and Marshall dealt with competently and frequently returned the ball with interest.
Once again the powerful Cleckheaton forwards were making the hard yards and kept putting the visitors on the back foot, at a scrum 5 metres from the line the chance seemed to be lost when the ball came free and Jack Seddon had to turn and pick up but he had enough power to get over the whitewash for his 5th try of the season. Breakwell goaled and Cleckheaton led for the first time 12-5. The lead was reduced on 25 minutes when Weightman slotted a simple goal to make score 12-8 and 3 minutes later , Kendal got their 2nd try with a simple catch and drive from a line out close to the tryline, Wrathall was the scorer , Weightman added the extras on 28 minutes to restore the lead to 12-15 . Scoring opportunities were limited and as halftime approached Breakwell attempted 35 metre drop goal that sailed wide of the posts 12-15 at half time.
10 minutes into the 2nd half, prop Andy Andy Piper rumbled over the try line and Breakwell adding the goal this see-saw game was finely poised. 19-15. Cleckheaton put some fresh legs on the park with Chris Piper and Archie Rika Rayne replacing Jackson and Thrower while Ben Etchells got some game time in replacing the outstanding Tom Lillicrop who along with Gus Milborne had fine games.
Breakwell had a chance to put the game to bed with 3 minutes to go but his 30 metre penalty slipped wide. The visitors went into panic mode at the restart a quick tap on the 22 metre line saw Kendal make 20 yards but Kendal lost the ball in contact and when Depledge picked up the loose ball he fed Wilson who powered away for the bonus point winning try, Breakwell added the goal and the referee ended the contest 26 -15 to Cleckheaton. The big crowd had been entertained from start to finish and the locals would have headed to the clubhouse the happier for the victory in a hard fought encounter. With other results going in Cleckheaton's favour on the day , the club moved to 4th in the table as they moved into a mid season Christmas break.
There will be rugby at Moorend on Thursday 26th December with Old Brodlieans making the short trip down the road , kick off is 11.00, the club will be open and food and drink will be available all day.
The next league action will be on the 4th January with Percy Park visiting , kick off is scheduled for 2:15.