A late drop goal by Iain Gordon netted Cleckheaton four league points after an indifferent performance against a determined Keighley XV. Cleckheaton have a habit of playing very well against the top sides in the league and dropping down a gear or two when they take on the less successful teams. This game was no exception and much of the sparkle on display was round the edge of the Moorend pitch, which had a Christmas flavour to it, with several spectators looking very festive in Santa hats that had been given out at a pre-match lunch earlier in the day.

The current cold snap had put the game in doubt until a couple of hours before kick-off but the efforts of groundsman Paul Hemingway, slitting the field earlier that morning, ensured the frost subsided just in time. The 1st XV had no game last week and have had training disrupted by the weather conditions this week, which may have contributed to the rustiness with which they started the match. Both sides missed penalty goal attempts before Cleckheaton’s Captain Marvel, Richard Piper, put the first points on the board after 20 minutes. Keighley were down to 14 men following the sin-binning of Captain Leigh Sugden, when Piper went in for another trademark try directing a 15m forward drive until he was close enough to dive over the whitewash. Iain Gordon added the extras to give Cleckheaton a 7-0 lead. Keighley responded well and their pressure led to two successful penalty goals from Ben Blackwell, which brought the score to 7-6 at the half way point of an otherwise unspectacular game.

Cleckheaton were guilty of giving away possession cheaply in the first 40 minutes and tried to rectify this in the second period. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Keighley were down to 14 men again when Paul Rossi was sin-binned. Cleckheaton took advantage of the situation once more and Richard Piper cemented his man of the match performance with another try from a driving maul. The conversion drifted wide but at 12-6, Cleckheaton looked like they might be about to kick into gear. However, this was not to be and Keighley, now restored to a full compliment, peppered the homeside’s defence with charge after charge. As the contact area got close to Cleckheaton’s line, the temptation to slow down play, or reach for balls already off-limits became too great and in quick succession both Paul Turner and Jack Bickerdike were sent to the sin bin. With Cleckheaton reduced to thirteen men a titanic effort would be required to keep the visitors at bay. This defensive stint was one of the true highlights of the afternoon and for nearly all of the time Cleckheaton were reduced in numbers, the defensive line held firm. However, with a minute left on the 2nd sin-binning, Keighley’s captain Sugden, went in for a converted try which gave the visitors a 13-12 lead.

In recent season’s Cleckheaton may not have been able to pull back from this with much less than 10 minutes remaining in the match but they kept their composure well and drove down field, retaining possession better than they had at any other point of the game. As the drive hit centre field, Iain Gordon calmly slotted a drop goal from 30m out to give Cleckheaton the decisive score. As the final whistle blew the players gave out a cheer - in relief rather than celebration and the certain knowledge that they will have to be much better next week if they want to come away from the trip to Sheffield with anything to show for their efforts.

Meanwhile the Kestrel’s, Cleckheaton’s 2nd XV, have cause for celebration this Christmas as a 38-5 win away at Keighley 2nds saw them elevated to the top of the Yorkshire RFU Championship Merit Table. Well done to manager Bob Wilson, coach Gordon Piper and all the players, who but for one narrow loss, have been unbeatable this season.

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