Cleckheaton Kestrels 62 - 0 Knottingley

The Kestrels earned a comprehensive victory over Knottingley 2nds, who were weakened by a handful of their regular side being called up to first team duty. Nevertheless, Cleck put in an excellent team performance, which would have tested any side in this league.

Mark Fletcher scored the first of the Kestrel's 10 tries, following a good run from Nathan Clayton, which set up a ruck 5 metres out. The wiley scrum-half picked up, dummied a pass to a runner and pirouetted through the resultant gap for an unconverted try. Knottingley responded well and helped by a flurry of needlessly conceded penalties, pressurised Cleck's line for what would turn out to be the only time in the game. The home side's defensive line held firm however, and after several phases of pressure the ball was cleared over the half way line.

It was now Cleck's turn to go on the attack, which they did in abundance. The Forwards rumbled well at the back of the rucks and the backs created space with incisive running. Winger Andy Edwards and front rowers Ben Thrower and Ricky Motlib went very close and Chris Piper was held up over the line twice, before Stand-Off Ross Hayden jinked his over from one of the ensuing 5 metre scrums. Hayden converted his own try to bring the score to 12 - 0.

From the kick-off, Nick Holland's barnstorming run allowed Danny Graham to advance the ball even further before Luke Bashforth took the final pass and sprinted in the last 20 metres for another quick Cleck try. Knottingley continued to fight back but it wasn't too long before the bonus point was in the bag, when Aiden Bullen supported a dynamic drive and forced his way over the line. Neil Gillan added the fifth and last try of the half, following a Knottingley line-out on their 22, which was turned over by Matt Beasty. The maul which formed following the catch was rolled right then left before Gillan saw a gap and darted through for a try. Hayden added the extras and as the ref blew for half-time the score had moved on to 29 - 0.

Coach Piper demanded more of the same in the 2nd period with simple team rugby being the order of the day. From the re-start the Kestrels continued to exert their dominance and good passing between Hayden and Lamb put Adam Stanley away in the corner.

There was no letting up from Cleck and an excellent runs from the back row partnership of Sessions, Graham and Quinn,who had joined the fray at half time, put Wilson through a gap and he raced away for a try from 30 metres out. Hayden converted to move the score onto 41-0 and then took centre stage with a trade mark jinkning run, breaking through the defence and having the pace to round the full back.

The stand-off then completed his hatrick with another quick score, both of which he converted. Aiden Bullen went in for his second and rounded off the scoring when he supported a break from Quinn and had the speed to run in from long range. James Wilson added the conversion to give a final score of 62 - 0.

A powerhouse performance from the Kestrels, which takes them one step closer to Merit League promotion.