Cleckheaton 3 - 3 Sandal

A 3-3 draw in a rugby match might appear to have been the outcome of a dull affair but those that were there at a wintery Moorend last Saturday would testify quite the opposite, as Cleckheaton put their unbeaten home record up against league leaders Sandal. The visitors have not lost on their travels this year and prior to this match, had won every game they've played since the opening weekend of this year’s campaign.

The remaining frost that crusted the field at the start of the day had given way to a slushy playing surface as battle commenced. The opening 10 minutes saw the game largely take place in the middle third of the pitch with early signs that defensive capabilities would determine the outcome of the match. Cleckheaton had a foray into Sandal’s half but came away empty handed and when the visitors did the same they too were repelled but picked up a penalty, which Mark Pease kicked through the uprights to give Sandal what would be their only score. The half wore on with both sides trying to make headway against impregnable defence. Cleckheaton pressed once or twice and looked dangerous but a player running into his own man, poor passing and a knock on frustrated their efforts as the conditions made their presence felt. Sandal had another shot at goal on 25 minutes with the ball sailing wide. As the half hour mark passed Cleckheaton looked to have handed a significant advantage to the visitors as Carl Mason was sin binned and to make matters worse, Paul Turner followed him a few minutes later. Down to thirteen men and with Ben Thrower having to move to prop and Jim Crowther taking the field at hooker, Cleck would surely find it impossible to keep Sandal out. A magnificent defensive effort proved otherwise, with Richard Piper and Rob Afoa Peterson leading the way but everyone in the team playing their part to deny Sandal any further score.

Cleckheaton started the second half still down to thirteen men for two minutes until second row Tom Hanson, who recently joined the club from Morley made his Cleckheaton debut, replacing Mason. The home team were trapped in their 22 but weathered the storm and were then returned to full compliment as the referee signalled that Paul Turner’s 10 minutes had elapsed. Cleckheaton immediately went on the offensive, honing their kicking game with Matt Piper and Ross Hayden as well as Michael Piper finding the range to pin Sandal back and Martin Woodhead and Lee Queeley chasing with vigour. The forwards bludgeoned their way up field with Alex Dawson and Jack Seddon making headway and James Wilson and Matt Piper also offering their services to run the ball in from the centres. Cleckheaton had a line-out 30m out which Ollie Akroyd plucked out of the air to set up the drive. As progress was made Sandal infringed and the referee held out his arm to signal advantage to the home side. A quick pass from Jack Bickerdike gave Mike Piper time to take aim and, despite the unfavourable surface, drop a goal straight between the sticks to level the scores.

Sandal battered Cleckheaton's line for the last 5 minutes of the game but could not find a way through a defence that was nothing short of magnificent. Richard Piper and Afoa Peterson continuing to set the benchmark with the rest of the team stepping up to the plate alongside. Josh Plunkett-White joined the effort from the bench and was in no mood to let anyone from Sandal anywhere near Cleckheaton’s line. With around a minute to go Cleckheaton looked to have secured the draw when Sandal knocked on close to the Moorenders’ line. Unfortunately the scrum went against the head and the home record was hanging by a thread when the visitors were held up over the line a few seconds later. Sandal were already playing with penalty advantage by then and with 10 seconds left on the clock opted for a kick at goal. Most believed that Cleckheaton’s 2 league points for a draw would be halved to a solitary bonus point and the unbeaten run at Moorend had come to an end. However much to the jubilation of at least half of the sizeable crowd, the kick curled to the right and hit the sticks ending the contest with honours even.

Cleckheaton have proven beyond doubt that their defence is amongst the best in the competition and Moorend is not a place that any opposition will look forward to coming to. Their last league defeat at home was against Huddersfield YMCA last February. That team are the next visitors to Moorend at the end of this month, when the John Bower Trophy is also at stake. It promises to be a very interesting game and one that Cleckheaton will be giving their all to win.