Westoe 22 – 41 Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton played some enterprising and flowing rugby at times to return a bonus point win from South Shields last Saturday. Westoe, already firmly fixed to the regulation zone some weeks ago, made the game a reasonable contest and put up some strong resistance via their pack. They mounted a challenge up to the 60 minute mark but an increase of tempo landed Cleck 3 tries which put the result beyond doubt.

James Wilson put the first 5 points on the board in as many minutes when he supported a break from Rob Afoa Peterson and sprinted in under the sticks. Ross Hayden added the extras. Alex Dawson then barged over for the first of his two tries following a powerful rumble from Jack Seddon, which Hayden also converted. It briefly looked like the game could become a one-way affair but Westoe stayed in touch by charging down a clearance kick in Cleck’s 22 and lock forward, Sam Gaff, caught the ball and touched down over the line. Cleckheaton were starting to force a few passes and dropped ball and unnecessary penalties gave Westoe some easy field position. The home side had a pack graced with some sizeable units and after a good number of strong runs were repelled, Raymie Elliott broke through the defensive wall for Westoe’s second try. One of these tries was converted and the gap had been narrowed to 14-12.

Cleckheaton regained control when Martin Woodhead forced his way over in the top corner on 38 minutes, following a wide pass from Cleck’s Man of the Match Rob Afoa Peterson. The conversion from Hayden drifted wide but the fullback amply made up for it 2 minutes later when he went in for a try himself, which also landed Cleckheaton a bonus point. The kick was added and at the break Cleck held a 26-12 lead.

Westoe scored first in the second half with Gaff going over again when Cleck’s pack stood off the line-out catcher, hoping Westoe would form into a maul and concede a truck and trailer penalty. Instead Gaff leap-frogged the frozen defence and tip-toed down the touchline for a try. Westoe applied a fair amount of pressure on Cleckheaton over the next 15 minutes but despite being reduced to 14 men for two thirds of that time, the visitors kept the home side out. Cleckheaton put the game to bed in the last quarter, Jack Bickerdike scooting in for a try which Hayden converted, followed by Dawson’s second when he scampered over the line from close range. Brad Marsden completed Cleckheaton’s try tally when a flowing move put the wingman in at the corner. Westoe did have the last say though and claimed a bonus point and a moment of personal satisfaction for Sam Gaff who went in for his hat-trick.

Cleckheaton scored seven tries and could have probably got a few more on a different day but they finished off this season’s away fixture list with comfortable win to secure themselves at least 6th place in National League 3 North after their first year back at this level. This is a splendid achievement and a win at home to Firwood Waterloo on Saturday would put some icing on the cake. Before that there is the small matter of Wharfedale at Moorend on Wednesday night in the Yorkshire Cup semi-final. A win would earn Cleck a place in the final for the first time in 10 years and would really finish off the season and Ian Armitage’s tenure at the club on a high note.