Cleckheaton put local rivals Morley to the sword at a very damp Moorend today . Cleckheaton had the same 18 from last week's big win at Bees with Ben Thrower starting at hooker with Archie Rika Rayne on the bench with Tom Breakwell and Dom Flanagan. Morley had an injury hit team with 8 changes from their defeat at home to Ilkley 7 days ago.
Cleckheaton kicked off with a tricky wind blowing across the field and had Morley on the back foot early. Having won line out ball, Dale Breakwell launched a kick into the wind that was gathered by Mike Hayward who crossed for his 8th try of the season, 5-0 after 4 minutes . Jack Seddon had to leave the field with a nasty head wound which required hospital treatment. Dom Flanagan came on as replacement. On 15 minutes , Morley applied some pressure near the Cleckheaton try line and eventually prop Greg Jones forced his way over the line, conversion was good by Knowles 5-7. Niall Jackson was shown the Yellow Card on 24 minutes for an offside offence, but Morley didn't take the numerical advantage and with some great passing in midfield between Breakwell and Brambani, Brad Marsden got into space and crossed in the corner for his 1st try of the season 10-7 after 28 minutes. Knowles added a 40 metre penalty on 35 minutes to tie the game at 10 all. More was to come , Brambani was stopped just short, then Joe Flanagan combined with James Wilson who collided with goal post while trying to touch down. Moments later, Flanagan was held short of the line and Depledge picked up to score , Dale Breakwell converted 17-10 at half time.
On 44 minutes, good work down the left by Tom Hainsworth put Mike Hayward over for his 9th try of the season 22-10. Morley were pressing and looked to have scored a try in the corner but a tremendous tackle put the winger Jamie Silkstone into touch.
Dale Breakwell kicked a penalty to extend the lead to 25-10 on 64 minutes. On 67 minutes, good work by Josh Plunkett, who handed on to Andy Piper who fed Niall Jackson who was pulled down short of the line but Richard Piper got to the ball and touched down, Dale Breakwell converted via the post, 32-10. On 75 minutes , Joe Flanagan made a great break down the middle , Richard Piper was on hand to force his way over for his second try of the season 37-10.
Nothing much was going right for Morley, the restart didn't go 10 metres and from half way , Cleckheaton drove deep into the Morley 22, when Cleckheaton were penalised this was the start of 6 consecutive penalties in less than 5 minutes, Richard Piper was sin binned and shortly after Morley got a consolation try through Jamie Silkstone 37-15 , as the Referee brought the game to a conclusion.
This was a great win against a very capable Morley team. The Cleckheaton pack were dominant in line out and scrum and the M.o.M award was shared between Richard Piper , Brad Marsden and Joe Flanagan. Sachin Gogna took the Maroons award as M.o.M.
Next week , Cleckheaton make the journey to Pocklington to face the team that upset Ilkley earlier today, kick off is at 2:15.