Cleckheaton 45 - 15 Darlington

---

by Alan Bentley

---

Cleckheaton claimed their fourth successive league victory but not without a few early alarms as the plucky Darlington outfit belied their lowly league position. In fact it was the visitors who took the lead in the first minute when skipper Mark Baldwin kicked a penalty. Darlington dominated the early possession and territory and it was no surprise when hooker Robert Goddard raced through for the first try which was unconverted.

Cleckheaton were struggling to string together more than a couple of phases of play and the lack of two first choice hookers was inhibiting their set piece possession. The key words through the week for coaches Dave Harrison and Ian Armitage had been the danger of complacency against lowly opposition. The initial exchanges had suggested that the words had not been heeded. However,slowly but surely the momentum changed and inevitably skipper Richard Piper put the first points on the board for the home side with a try which was converted by Iain Gordon.On the half hour mark and just to emphasise how the face of the game was changing, a Darlington attack was intercepted by Ross Hayden who sprinted eighty yards for a try under the posts which was converted by Iain Gordon. This was the first try of the season for the talented full back who has been a constant in the Cleckheaton side for several years. His enterprising play has always seen him as a Moorend favourite and his first half performance was just a continuation of his consistently high skill level.

The second half showed Cleckheaton in their more usual ruthless mode with tries in quick succession from Jack Bickerdike; his first for the club, Ollie Marns on his debut, Ross Hayden with an excellent solo effort for his second of the afternoon and Jonno Marshall with a skilful outside break to score wide out. Iain Gordon converted all four tries and along with a penalty completed a 100% success rate for the match. Darlington never gave up and in the last minute of injury time scored a well deserved second try from Robert Goddard converted by Mark Baldwin.

Including last week's excellent performance in the Yorkshire Cup against Harrogate this was the fifth successive victory for the improving Cleckheaton side. Success tends to breed confidence and although this was a performance below their most recent standards the players know that the team has match winners who have to be given opportunities to show their qualities. The recruitment of players such as Ollie Marns can only enhance the team and in his first outing for the club showed his ability to create havoc amongst opposition defences by his elusive running and his support play.

The Kestrels continued their excellent season with another away victory at West Park Leeds and even with a depleted side were too good for their opponents who recorded home and away successes against them last season-a reflection of how the side has improved under the continued guidance of Gordon Piper, Bob Wilson and Neil Gillan. The thirds lost 10-5 at Otliensians but sporting new shirts and supported by most of the 4ths had a good night out on their first bus trip of the season.