Scunthorpe 26 - 18 Cleckheaton Kestrels

Cleckheaton travelled to Scunthorpe on Saturday to play the current merit league leaders, who are unbeaten so far this season.

Injuries and selection for the 1st XV saw a new look front row of Andy Corfield, Liam Goldthorpe and Ricky Motlib with Ben Thower unavailable due to a strained hamstring, a part of their anatomy, which props only seem to realise they have, once they have been selected for the 1st XV!

Scunthorpe kicked off playing down hill and scored straight away, when Cleckheaton caught and set the ball and Jarrad Toulson's clearance kick was charged down. The ball came to rest in the lefthand corner of the in-goal area and the homeside's back rower pounced on the ball for a try, which was converted from the touchline.

Scunthorpe scored again 10 mins later when a pass was intercepted on Cleck's 22 and from the ensuing ruck, Scunthorpe went in for another converted try to bring the score to 14-0.

With less than 15 minutes gone in the game Cleckheaton were facing an uphill struggle. The large Scunthorpe pack had the bit between their teeth and could have made more headway if not for some outstanding defence, with Robin Bennet, in particular, putting in some big hits.

Cleck's only real opportunity to cross the whitewash in the 1st half came when Toulson kicked through and young Lewis Beasty won the race to the ball, kicking it another 20m and looking likely to score a try. Unfortunately a last minute bobble of the ball, 2m from try line, allowed Scunthorpe's winger to get his toe to it and kick the ball dead. Cleckheaton were penalised at the 5m scrum for an unclear infringement and Scunthorpe were able to relieve the pressure.

Cleckheaton were starting to exert some control and before the interval Toulson put over 2 penalties, including one from the half way line to bring the score to 14-6 but Scunthorpe were able to counter with a goal of their own, to make their half time lead 17-6.

The 2nd period started in a far better fashion for the Kestrels, when a miscued clearance was skied by Craig Blackburn, causing some disarray in the home side's midfield and allowing the same player to run 30 metres and retrieve the ball on the full. Blackburn fed Bennet, running in support and the flanker raced 30m to score in the corner. Carrying a knock to the shoulder from some stalwart defence at the end of the first half and now with lungs burning and calf muscles screaming, Bennett was considered to have done his day's work and was replaced by Danny Graham, who was making a welcome return after a lengthy absence through injury.

The home side then put over 2 further penalties from close to the half way line, as the tempo of Cleckheaton's play was starting to take its toll on the heavier opposition and a shot at goal provided a welcome respite for the home team.

Though they were 23-11 down, Cleck were now looking the stronger side with Craig Blackburn influential in the back line and Tom Brook making notable returns of the ball whenever Scunthorpe kicked down field. On the hour mark a break by Garry Lamb took him deep into Scunthorpe's half and a nicely executed short pass put Blackburn in to score. Toulson converted to bring Cleck within 5 points at 23-18.

With 20 minutes left and everything to play for Adam Stanley came on, another player making a return from injury. Cleckheaton's pressure was starting to mount and the visitors looked odds-on to take the lead but unfortunately it was not to be. A couple of relieving penalties helped Scunthorpe out of their 22 and in the last minute Scunthorpe's stand-off made a half-break, which was met by a crunching, text book tackle by full back Tom Brook. To the dismay of everybody watching, including Scunthorpe's supporters, the referee gave a penalty for a late shot, despite the ball being dislodge in the tackle and the resultant conversion became the last play of the game, denying Cleck a bonus point.

Joint man of the match goes to Robin Bennet for an excellent 1st half defence and Craig Blackburn for his work in attack in the 2nd period.

The Kestrels will not have many harder fixtures this season and must take credit for how they kept their heads high even after going 14 points down in the first 10 minutes.