An emotional week for the Cleckheaton club culminated in a defeat at the hands of Morley. The visitors' first loss in the league since mid November came at Scatcherd Lane as the 'Maroons’ kick-started their fight to retain their tenure in National 3 North. An early sign that this could be Morley’s day came within five minutes of kick off. Tom Richmond desperately reaching out for the whitewash looked to have dropped the ball from about knee height but the referee, unsighted by the post protector, awarded a try. Luke Stevenson’s conversion from right in front gave Morley an early 7-0 lead. Cleckheaton responded with powerful work from their pack and when a kick to the corner gave the visitors an attacking line-out, the forward drive proved irresistible resulting in an unconverted try for Richard Piper.

Morley extended their two point advantage as the referee instructed Jack Bickerdike not to make a tackle because he was off-side, the ensuing confusion in Cleckheaton’s defensive line allowed the Maroons’ centre, Brad Marshall, to complete a run to the corner. Stevenson’s conversion attempt was wide but the stand-off made amends with a penalty goal a few minutes later. Cleckheaton got themselves back within one score following the sin-binning of Morley prop Paul Gabriel for a professional foul. Matt Piper initially went close from the tap penalty before another line-out in Morley’s 22 was converted to points at the hands of twin brother Richard. The conversion was missed and minutes later the referee blew to end the first period with the scoreboard showing that Morley held a 15-10 lead.

The home side got the best possible start to the second period, when a series of penalties gave them good field position and despite still being down to 14 men, created an overlap for Andy Funnell to squeeze in at the corner. Stevenson added a difficult conversion. Cleckheaton then had their best period of play, dominating possession and territory for the next 20 minutes of the game. Morley’s defensive line came under intense pressure time and time again but despite the continued battering would not yield. Cleckheaton eventually conceded possession with an infringement or a handling error to let the home side off the hook. Morley effectively sealed the game with another penalty goal from Stevenson to give themselves a fifteen point lead, which remained undented as the last ten minutes were played out.

This was not the best performance from Cleckheaton. They just couldn’t click into top gear for much of the match, with wrong options being taken on numerous occasions and focus waning at some key points. Morley played like a team who know they can leave nothing in the dressing if they are to raise themselves out of the relegation slots and will rightly take heart from the impressive defensive commitment they showed in the second half to keep Cleckheaton out.

There is a break from league action next week as Cleckheaton, thanks to hard work from the ground staff, have managed to fulfill all their fixtures over the winter despite the harsh conditions. The next outing for the 1st XV is at home to Lymm on 21st February. Kick off is at 2.15pm at Moorend.