Cleckheaton travelled to Kelleythorpe looking to build on last week's excellent victory over Moortown. Unfortunately, a massive penalty count against didn't help them in the outcome.
Josh Plunkett was unavailable, Ryan Piercy and Thiu Barnard started in the second row, the bench was filled by Archie Rika-Rayne, Dom Flanagan and the return of Tom Lillycrop.
Driffield got off to a fast start with 2 tries by blind side flanker Jack Sewersby inside 11 minutes ,neither kick was successful 10-0. A rampaging run by Driffield lock Kyle Turner led to a 3rd try after swift hands got the ball to Ben Blacker who crossed for a try , conversion by Brigham was good and Driffield led 17 -0.
Cleckheaton had conceded 6 penalties inside 20 minutes but when they won a penalty of their own, a line out was won and Thiu Barnard crossed for a try, converted by Dale Breakwell 17-7. The penalties kept mounting,Brigham slotted a simple goal to take the lead to 20-7.
Mike Hayward worked his way into a good position off a Brambani pass to narrow the lead to 20-12. Second row Jenkinson got to a loose ball after a knock on by Jack Marshall , picked up and run fully 50 metres for the next try, then as Cleckheaton were going through a few phases the move broke down in midfield and the replacement Johnson galloped away for a fine try to end a disappointing half for the visitors 31-12 down and Dale Breakwell in the sin bin at the start of the 2nd half for arguing with the Referee. The previously mentioned penalty count stood at 10-3 to the home side and Cleckheaton needed to tighten up on both Discipline and defence while down to 14 men. Neither seemed to happen as penalties were conceded and tries by prop Nellen, No 8 Brankley and centre Soanes all crossed in a 10 minute period putting the game safe with the score at 49-12.
Jack Marshall then crossed in the corner 49-17 before the Referee ran out of patience and sent Marshall and Tom Hainsworth to the bin. Driffield then got their 9th try of the afternoon from Johnson taking the score was 54-17 before replacement Dom Flanagan powered over to give Cleckheaton a try bonus point 54-22. From the restart Johnson floored Marshall with a high tackle and was shown the red card. The game still had plenty of action as Archie Rika-Rayne scored a try goaled by Breakwell before full back James Watts scored a try in the final minute adding the extras to take the score to 61-29. When Marshall and Hainsworth returned from the bin and with Cleckheaton having a man advantage they piled the pressure on with Driffield now conceding penalties. Quick thinking saw Marshall exploit a gap to score his second try of the afternoon into added time which took the full time score to 61-34.
On a day where 16 tries were scored this was a damaging defeat for Cleckheaton the penalty count was also against them to the tune of 17-10 and the need to improve team discipline would be fairly obvious.
It's going to be a tough week ahead of a mouth watering clash with local rivals Heath next Saturday, kick off at 3.00