Cleckheaton Kestrels 35 - 13 Barnsley

The Kestrels, who had played last week's game with 3 back row forwards occupying the 10, 12 and 13 spots for their win away at Ripon, welcomed back Gareth Lamb, Tom Crewe and Craig Blackburn to give the backline a more familiar look.

As ever Barnsley fielded a big forward pack with some of their backs also looking like they could do an equally good job in the scrum. Cleckheaton's defensive effort would have to be on top if they were to win this game. As it turned out, the home defence was top drawer, with several big hits from Tom Brooke, Liam Goldthorpe, Mark Johnson, Crewe and Blackburn for the most part nullifying any threat Barnsley offered.

Barnsley got on the score sheet first however, when 10 minutes into the game The visitor's 10 decided to go for a drop goal. The ball drifted to the left of the posts and some 3 or 4 feet under the cross bar but as the Barnsley stand-off shook his head disconsolately, his demeanour turned to unexpected joy as the referee held up his hand to signify the goal had been scored. The home crowd left the official in no doubt about their view of this and there were several good natured offers of lifts to SpecSavers.

Barnsley were the grateful recipients of several penalties but Cleckheaton managed their frustration well and time and time again repelled Barnsley's crashes at the line. Eventually Cleck turned over the ball and got to break out from their 22. The Moorenders backline had the upper hand in skills on their opposite numbers and Tom Crew glided through the defence on two or three occasions before releasing Mark Johnson and eventually, Craig Blackburn, to sprint in under the sticks.

Barnsley continued with their ten man style of rugby and again pressured Cleckheaton's defence but it held firm. The referee continued clocking up the penalty count against the Kestrels and Mark Johnson was very unlucky to be sin binned 8 mins from half time. The reduction in numbers renewed Cleck's resolve and after conceding a penalty goal, once again cut open Barnsley's defence in the backline. Craig Blackburn breaking through before pushing the ball back on the inside for Gareth Lamb to out sprint the defence and go in from 30m. Both of Cleckheaton's tries were converted and at halftime the score line was Cleckheaton 14 - Barnsley 6.

A Barnsley infringement straight after the restart, offered Robin Bennett an easy 3 points to increase the advantage. However this was reduced when Barnsley took a quick tap penalty 15m out, which seemed to have been knocked on and whilst Cleckheaton procrastinated, Barnsley scored under the sticks, reducing their arrears to just 3 points.

A nervous 10 minutes followed but then another break, this time from Tom Brooke on the right hand side of the field released Mark Johnson who capped an excellent game by racing in on the touchline side for an unconverted try. As Barnsley's forwards tired, Cleckheaton's came into their own pressurising Barnsley's line with quick ruck ball until Ricky Motlib slipped under the defence for a bonus point try. Lamb added another Cleckheaton penalty to bring the score to 30-13 and the last word of the day went to promising colt Josh White who spotted a gap and dived over for the Kestrel's 5th and final try.

This was a very competent performance by the Kestrels who can now look forward to taking their unbeaten start to the season, into next weeks game at local rivals Old Brodleians.