After a defeat the previous week, Cleckheaton put in a much improved performance in their first home game of this season's National League 3 campaign, completing an afternoon of end to end action with a bonus point win. Wirral, who also entered the national leagues with promotion last year, put in an enterprising display but the desire and drive was always with the Moorenders.

Wirral took an early lead with a penalty goal from Skipper Craig Harvey but this was quickly returned in kind as Ross Hayden posted the first 3, of what would become a personal haul of 20 points by the end of the match. It was Rob Afoa-Peterson though who open Cleck's try account, rolling back the years following a scrum on Wirral's 22 and a blindside attack, which saw the back rower dance through a would-be tackle and go over to the right of the sticks. Hayden converting.

Cleckheaton built on their lead after quelling some forays from Wirral's backs, when Danny Vento broke down the middle of the park taking play to 15m out. With Wirral on the back foot, quick hands from Jarrad Toulson and Lee Queeley found Ross Hayden out wide and two sublime steps, leaving defenders flat footed, gave the fullback his first try. The conversion was missed but in what was possibly the champagne moment of the match, a poor clearance kick by Wirral from the back of a scrum close to their line was fielded by Hayden. A quick pass found Matt Piper in centre field 30 metres out with the majority of both teams in front of him. To the delight of the Moorend crowd he released the ball to his foot and dropped a goal through the centre of the uprights to give Cleck a 18-3 lead.

An indiscretion by Cleckheaton close to the end of the first period gave Wirral another penalty goal opportunity and Harvey gladly obliged to to leave the scoreboard showing 18-6 as the referee drew the first half to a close.

Cleckheaton were reduced to 14 men shortly after the break when a careless tackle by James Wilson caught his opponent high and the referee issued a yellow card. As was demonstrated the previous week, holding sides out in this league with a man down is a very tall order and in the next 10 minutes Wirral went on to score 2 tries. The first came after a quick throw-in close to their own line which caught Cleckheaton napping. The Wirral back line promoted the ball 50m down Cleckheaton's left before it was sprayed to the other side of the pitch for a try in the corner. Wirral then levelled the scores following a scrum when No. 9, Julian Haigh, dropped a shoulder and scooted in from 30m out. The conversion was added from wide out to give Wirral a 20-18 lead. James Wilson retook field from the restart.

The anxiety creeping onto the faces of the Cleckheaton faithful, like Wirral's advantage, was short lived. Cleckheaton's forward power, typified by man of the match Paul Turner, turned over the visitors' scrum deep in their half and Richard Piper, who had bulldozed into Wirral's defensive wall all afternoon, took play to within a couple of metres of the line. Smart work from Jack Bickerdike found Martin Woodhead in acres of space on the left wing and the try put Cleckheaton back in front.

The Moorenders continued to attack from the restart and an excellent crossfield kick from Matt Piper led to Cleck's bonus point try when it was plucked out of the air one handed by Hayden, just as the opposition fullback was about to gather,. Jarrad Toulson, who had had a good game as stand in stand-off, added the conversion from near the touchline. Ross Hayden completed Cleckheaton's try scoring and claimed his own hat trick with 6 mins left on the clock after Lee Queeley went close and an attempted strip propelled the ball just above head height, which Hayden seized upon for the teams 5th try of the afternoon. Toulson added the extras. Wirral pressed hard in the remaining minutes, bonus points whether they are winning or losing ones will be a valuable commodity as the season goes on, but this was to no avail as Cleckheaton's defence remained unbreakable.

This was a reassuring, competent victory for Cleckheaton who showed this week, that they can actually adjust with some aplomb, to the increased demands and pace of play that National 3 presents. Next weekend the team heads over to the famous Heywood Road ground to play Sale, one of the favourites for glory this year. The game promises to provide a stiff test but also gives the team the opportunity of a massive scalp, which they will face with relish.