The Kestrels sealed the Merit League title with a convincing win over the same side against which they kicked off this year's campaign back in September. The Kestrels have a come along way together since that opening weekend under the tutelage of Coach Gordon Piper and have only lost 3 league matches all season.

Going into the game there was a scramble for players, as a swathe of injuries and unavailability left the 1st XV short of 7 regulars, resulting in call ups for Mark Fletcher, Gareth Lamb, Craig Blackburn, James Wilson, Danny Graham and Carl Mason. As a result the Kestrels gave debuts to Tom Holmes and Matty Smith, who both acquitted themselves very well, welcomed back Joe Massarella from his 9 months in Holland and called up former 1st teamer Joff Ward from the 3rds to marshal the Centres.

Cleckheaton were not going to underestimate Dinnington in such an important game and rightly so, as the visitors started vigorously. However, it was not long before Cleckheaton gained territorial advantage and started to press Dinnington's line. A number of opportunities for an early score were let slip due to wrong options being taken as the home team over enthusiastically tried to get the first points on the board.

A period of sustained pressure saw Nathan Clayton get over the line and squeeze the ball down, however the referee adjudged that it was held up. Further forward rumbles from Ben Thrower, Ricky Motlib, Luke Bashforth and Nick Holland also went close and Andy Edwards was barged into touch just 1 metre from the line. Dinnington eventually succumbed when Simon Quinn broke free and stretched out at full length to touch the whitewash. The conversion was missed.

Dinnington responded straightaway and were awarded a penalty kick, which they duly converted into 3 points. At 5 – 3 it looked like it could be a nervous afternoon for Cleckheaton, who needed a bonus point win to mathematically secure them the Championship. The decently sized crowd was not to be disappointed though as a Dinnington line-out on the visitor’s 22 was stolen by Quinn and passed to Neil Gillan, who evaded a couple of would-be tacklers, before sprinting over to the right of the sticks. Toulson added the extras. Simon Quinn got on the scoresheet again when interpassing between himself and Smith created an opening. Toulson converted again and then increased the try tally himself, when, with quick thinking, he tapped a penalty and sprinted over from 10m out. Whilst the opposition complained to the referee that they weren’t ready, Toulson added the extras to bring the scores to 26-3. The referee blew for half time and the Kestrels were 40 minutes away from glory.

The second half started with some pushing and shoving, which resulted in Grant Turton and a Dinnington back rower taking 10 minutes in the cooler. Cleckheaton continued to dominate territorially, with Sam Sessions now on the field ensuring that Dinnington got no rest at the breakdown. Whilst still down to 14 men, Cleck added to their score when Adam Stanley dived over in the left corner for an unconverted try. Cleckheaton then scored another when a fantastic flat pass from Ollie Depledge put Aiden Bullen through a gap for his 10th try of the season.

Dinnington put up a brave fight in the last 15 minutes of the game and bombarded Cleckheaton’s line, but the Cleck defence held firm and the League Title was in the bag.

It has been a tremendous season for the Kestrels, who have trained hard and grown together as a team as the year has gone on. They now play some very attractive rugby and there are signs that there will be even more to come next season. Bob Wilson, unavoidably away on a reconnaissance mission to Krakow, was delighted with the win and this coupled with the fact the 6 regular 2nd team players were called up to the 1st team, is testament to his hard work in putting together the Development Team Project and just reward for all those that have supported it.