Cleckheaton were unable to bring any points away from Teeside last Saturday against a very determined Billingham side. The teams lying 5th and 6th in the table had enjoyed a close encounter at Moorend back in November with Cleckheaton taking the spoils 24-18. The absence this week of Rob Afoa Peterson, Matt Piper, Lee Queeley, Ben Thrower and Tom Hanson due to injury and other availability issues gave coach Ian Armitage the opportunity to field a quintet of promising youngsters. Under 20’s players James Crowther, Niall Jackson, Brad Marsden, Josh Plunkett White and Jack Seddon were all included and acquitted themselves very well.

Cleckheaton played into a fairly strong breeze in the first half and because of this found it difficult to get out of their own half. On the occasions they managed it, any lost ball was quickly booted back down field for them to have to try and build again. Few opportunities presented themselves and when they did suspect handling turned over possession before any real pressure was built up. Billingham on the other hand had some flow to their game with captain Pete Evans always looking dangerous with mazy runs from fullback. The scoreboard sprang into action mid way through the half when a quick tap penalty from Evans and good handling by Billingham’s three quarters put winger Elliiot Husband in at the corner for an unconverted try. Using the wind to their advantage the home side piled more pressure on Cleckheaton shortly after the re-start and eventually found a way through when No.8 Liam Armstrong went in close to the posts. Evans converted. Cleckheaton steadied the ship but as the whistle blew for the interval, Billingham held a 12-0 lead.

Cleckheaton started the second half with the wind at their backs and some fire in their bellies and took the game to their opposition. Within a few minutes a line out close to Billingham's whitewash, following a Cleckheaton penalty was driven over, with Richard Piper getting the ball down. Ross Hayden added the extras and it was game on. Cleckheaton were now using the wind and this time it was Billingham who found it hard to break out of their half. However, a rare defensive lapse on Cleckheaton’s right hand side allowed Matty Kirkby to go over for an unconverted try and put Billingham into a 17-7 lead. There was still around 20 minutes on the clock, so plenty of time for Cleckheaton to regain control. For the vast majority of that time Cleckheaton battered Billingham's line with a host of willing runners going in time and time again. A penalty under the sticks offered an easy 3 points to put a bonus point on the table but this was shunned as the visitors went for the win. Cleckheaton came very close on many occasions and even had numerical advantage as a Billigham player was sin-binned as they scrambled to slow down the Moorender’s recycling. Despite the valiant effort a large deal of credit must go to Billingham’s defence and their steely determination, they would not yield and the minutes eventually ticked by without further score, leaving Billingham with the league points and Cleckheaton with nothing. They do retain their 5th place though, one above Billingham, albeit with the lead trimmed in half to just 4 points.

Cleckheaton host bottom club Beverley this Saturday and whilst the team from East Yorkshire have only won 2 games this season and none away from home, they need to be treated with plenty of respect and the same focus as any other team, lest their first win on the road comes at Moorend.