Cleckheaton got the New Year off to winning start when they battled for a hard fought victory against Old Crossleyans in last Saturday’s local derby. The men from Halifax put in a sterling performance; well matched by Cleckheaton, for a game that kept the crowd enthralled until the final whistle.

The game started with an early chance for the home side as the kick-off from Old Crossleyans didn’t make 10 metres. A scrum on the half way gave Cleckheaton possession and territory and very shortly an excellent break from Jonathon Marshall nearly put Martin Woodhead in for Cleckheaton’s first try. Unfortunately the final pass was just behind the winger and could not be gathered. Crossleyans responded well and made their way into Cleckheaton’s 22 with strong running and competent ball recycling and this heralded the start of a dismal 10 minutes for the Moorenders. First Paul Turner was sent to the sin bin when he found himself in the direct line of a pass from the visitors’ scrum half, as he tried to get back on side from the previous ruck. The referee felt that the interference, close to Cleckheaton’s line, was deliberate and sent the prop forward to the sin-bin. This meant that back rower Robin Bennett also had to leave the field temporarily to allow Steve Worsley to come on in the front row. Jonathon Marshall then suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury and was replaced by Lee Queeley, who marked his return to league action following a tour of duty in Afghanistan. To add to Cleckheaton’s woes, the referee awarded Crossleyans a penalty try when he adjudged that Cleckheaton’s forwards had stood up during a scrum 5 metres from their try line.

Crossleyans could have extended their 7 – 0 lead with three long range penalty goal attempts but all drifted wide from the boot of Leigh Thomas. Cleckheaton were at last restored to a full compliment and the forwards started to gain momentum. Matt Piper, ever willing to drive the ball in from the centres, also started to put Old Crossleyans on the back foot. Cleckheaton won a line out close to Crossleyans line and a solid catch by Ollie Akroyd set up a driving maul, which Richard Piper steered over for a try. Iain Gordon converted 10m in from the touchline side to level the match on the stroke of half time.

Crossleyans started the second Half brightly but Cleckheaton’s defence matched their enthusiasm. Naz Salama was introduced into the fray from the bench making his return to the club. Iain Gordon put Cleckheaton ahead with a penalty goal from 40m out but the visitors hit back quickly when they were held up over the line and from the ensuing scrum the referee awarded another penalty try, again at the first offence, giving Crossleyans a 14-10 lead. Cleck strengthened their resolve and took the game back to the opposition with visible determination. A penalty in midfield was dispatched to the corner by Gordon and in an exact copy of his try; Richard Piper went in again to put the Moorenders back in front. Once again Gordon converted from a wide angle to bring the score to 17-14. Nails started to be bitten by both sets of supporters when with 12 minutes left on the clock, Leigh Thomas scored a penalty for the visitors to level the scores. At this point in games of this nature, results tend to hinge on a mistake or a piece of individual brilliance. In this case it was the latter. Cleckheaton were in possession around the half way mark when the referee held out his arm to signal advantage for a Crossleyans infringement. Iain Gordon goose-stepped from side to side looking for options with the free ball. Just as it looked like no advantage was to be gained Jack Bickerdike received possession and shot through a gap in the defence. The speedy scrum half put on the gas and despite being half held by Crossleyans’ full back, desperately trying to affect the tackle, he dived over the line for a try from 50m out. The joy of the home crowd was clear to see and this was extended when Iain Gordon added the extras to bring the final score to 24-17.

A win at home in a local derby is an excellent way to start the New Year. Cleckheaton are far from home next week when they travel to Northumbria to face Morpeth but they will now go there knowing they have a 100% record in 2013!