This crackerjack game had just about everything, great tries especially from Wirral in the first half, tension, controversy and ultimately a comeback of biblical proportions from a patched up Cleckheaton side. With nineteen year olds Cameron Burnhill and Jake Jagger making their league debuts and another league debutant in Niall Jackson on the bench, mixed with the vigour of experienced forwards such as Rob Afoa Peterson, Richard Piper and Paul Turner, it was going to take time to gel into a cohesive unit. The reality was exactly that. From the first kick off Wirral announced their intent to halt a run of three successive defeats albeit against the league's top three sides. Returning skipper and playmaker Craig Harvey was influential in the early exchanges for the home side and it was he who scored two of their three first half tries, two of which were converted by full back James Annetts. A further penalty by Annetts gave Wirral a twenty two point lead on the half hour and to all intents and purposes the visitors were just looking to secure some pride.

The Cleckheaton forwards had been strangely subdued to this point and a lack of first phase possession and weak first up defence were nullifying their attempts to secure scoring field positions. Wirral had been clinical with their possession and fully deserved their lead to that point.

The comeback began in the 32nd minute when the Cleckheaton pack secured possession from a line out on the Wirral 22. The tried and tested rolling maul was set in motion and Richard Piper skilfully manoeuvred his unit towards the try line for the visitors first try. Oliver Akroyd, replacing flu victim Ross Hayden as marksman, expertly converted from the touchline. Game on!

It was obvious from the body language of the Cleckheaton side early in the second half that this game was far from over. Set piece possession which had been hard to secure in the first half was now used effectively to pin Wirral in their own half with Michael Piper particularly effective kicking out of hand. Pressure on the home line brought immediate rewards when Cameron Burnhill galloped over for a fine try. The conversion was missed but Cleckheaton's momentum became irresistible when Danny Vento drove over following good work from Matt Piper and Rob Afoa Peterson. Akroyd was just wide with the conversion attempt but fifteen minutes later was successful in putting his side into the lead for the first time when he converted another try from Ben Thrower. Frustrations were beginning to show from the home side but at long last Wirral managed to work the position in the opposing half where they forced an offside transgression from the Cleckheaton forwards. Annetts kicked the penalty and the hosts were back in the lead.
Stand in scrum half James Wilson urged on his pack to regain their second half ascendancy and with fresh legs in Niall Jackson and fellow nineteen year olds James Crowther and Jack Seddon, Cleckheaton kept on the pressure. Both sides and the spectators could sense that the game would go down to the wire and it was the visitors who took the spoils when Oliver Akroyd coolly slotted a penalty with five minutes remaining. Wirral responded positively but were unable to break the Cleckheaton defence.
This was a genuine team effort with every player making a contribution. Carl Mason again used his considerable know how in the forward exchanges and Callum Thompson was prominent before having to be replaced as flu symptoms sapped his strength. Backs Lee Queeley and Martin Woodhead were always busy especially in attacking the gain line. However, the most illuminating aspect from a Cleckheaton point of view was the sight of five nineteen year olds being blooded at National League level. Although the selectors hands had been forced to some extent with the late withdrawal of three key players, all five will have gained from the experience and certainly played a major part in Cleckheaton's victory. Their coaches from their formative years at the club and their parents should be very proud of them.