Cleckheaton travelled to Beverley with more or less the same side that had beaten Billingham at Moorend the previous Saturday. The only changes being Paul Turner, back from his trip to the far east, claiming a place on the bench and Gareth Lamb, who starting the game on the wing after Craig Blackburn aggravated a calf strain during the warm up. Beverley were able to field their strongest side of the year so far, with a number of experienced players back in the team and the home fans willing them to kick start their season.

Beverley started brightly and moved the ball around at pace testing Cleckheaton’s defence. The Moorenders held firm under the pressure as Beverley became more expansive. A long pass was almost intercepted by Ben Thrower but he couldn’t hold onto the ball and the referee gave a penalty for a deliberate knock on. Beverley’s Duboulay converted for a 3-0 lead. Beverley continued to attack Cleckheaton, whilst the Moorenders shook off a memorable coach journey, which due to the pleasures of Satellite Navigation took the team through a golf course, an anti-fracking protest camp and a road alongside an active shooting range. Beverley’s movement stretched Cleckheaton’s defence and when player coach, Junior Tupai, produced a crossfield kick that was taken by Tony Maka, the visitors breached their opponents line and Goran Jelencic went in for an unconverted try.

Trailing 8-0, Cleckheaton eventually started to get into the game. Alex Dawson, Ben Thrower and Callum Thompson once again dominating their opposition and giving Cleckheaton a platform to work from. The line-out was also functioning well with Ollie Akroyd and Grant Turton providing a safe pair of hands, collectively allowing Cleckheaton to drive into Beverley’s half with their first real bout of controlled possession. Space opened up on the right flank and two quick passes from Jack Bickerdike and Jarrad Toulson looked certain to have created a try for Cleckheaton. However Beverley’s last defender jumped in the air and knocked the ball down before it could reach James Wilson. The referee had little option but to produce a yellow card and Ross Hayden stepped up and converted the penalty. The first half ended with a 10 minute onslaught from Cleckheaton. Martin Woodhead looked like he was in for a try but the ball was ripped free as he got into the in-goal area. Gareth Lamb caught a cross-field kick from Toulson and found Danny Vento in support but Beverley’s defence scrambled well and thwarted the attack. As the clock struck 40 minutes Cleckheaton kept the ball alive recycling it time and time again and bashing at the home side’s line but credit to Beverley, their determination paid off and the half ended 8-3.

Josh White had a fine game but was substituted at half time as he was in the starting line-up for the Yorkshire U20’s game the next day. Paul Turner took the field in his place and James Crowther also came on for Thrower. Cleckheaton’s defence was excellent in the second period but they found themselves on the wrong end of a couple of refereeing decisions, including the disallowing of a try by Dawson. Frustrations started to boil over resulting in Grant Turton being sent to the sin bin to cool off. Cleckheaton responded well to the reduced numbers and kept the ball tight and within 2 minutes of being restored to full compliment, Callum Thompson went in to level the scores. A difficult conversion would give Cleckheaton the lead and Ross Hayden duly obliged. In the last few minutes of the game Cleck became once again encamped on Beverley’s line. The Forwards were now overpowering their opponents with unflinching determination, typified by Carl Mason pushing his body round the park for the full 80 minutes. As the game entered the final throes, Jack Seddon picked up at the back of a ruck and darted over. Ross Hayden deflated the Beverley crowd by adding another difficult conversion to end the game 17-8 and deny the home team a bonus point.

Beverley put in a spirited performance and are not far away from registering another few much needed wins. Cleckheaton on the other hand made it 7 wins out of the last 8 games in League and Cup and hope will to take this form into next week’s game against Westoe, who registered a large and unpredicted win against Rossendale last Saturday. Due to a pre-match event, this game will kick off at 3pm and will finish under floodlights.