Cleckheaton Kestrels 10 - 15 West Park Leeds

On a dismal day, where floodlights had to be deployed at 3pm, a couple of guest appearances was not enough to overcome a competent West Park Leeds side, who also found themselves without a 1st XV fixture last Saturday afternoon.

Park took an early lead when a catch and drive from a line-out close to Cleckheaton’s line, was marched over the whitewash for an unconverted try. The visitors then very nearly went in again minutes later and would have done but for an outstanding tackle by Lee Queeley 2 metres out. Cleckheaton responded well after this and for large periods of the remaining half, had the upper hand in terms of both territory and possession. However, slippery conditions made for lots of spilled ball, often at crucial times for the Moorenders. Eventually hooker, Richard Piper, evened up the score with a try and Jarrad Toulson added the conversion to give Cleckheaton a 7-5 lead at the break.

The half time team talk from coach Gordon Piper centred on the need to protect the ball in contact and to be more determined with counter rooking. From the re-start Cleckheaton caught the ball and then lost it in the tackle, much to the frustration of said coach. Cleckheaton played some good rugby at times and a powerful break from Tom Brook could have easily been rewarded with a try for James Wilson but confusion between players prevented the scoring pass being made. Cleckheaton did however turn their pressure into points, when Toulson added a penalty from in front of the sticks to give Cleck a 10-5 lead.

West Park continued to battle and engineered a break down their right flank, which resulted in their winger racing in for a try. The conversion was missed and the game was deadlocked at 10-10. With only 5 minutes left, a near perfect cross-field kick from Park’s stand-off, bounced nicely into the hands of their left winger and he touched down in the corner. The score was not improved with a conversion but at 15-10 was enough to win the match for the visitors. Cleckheaton tried hard to overcome the deficit in the remaining few minutes but it was not to be.

The Kestrels will hope to get back to winning ways when they face Wheatley Hills over in Doncaster tomorrow.