Old Patesians 34, Cleckheaton 7 - Cleckheaton skipper John Bentley's face was a picture of disappointment as he walked off the pitch in the 63rd minute.

And the club's Director of Rugby wasn't just stony-faced because his calf strain hadn't allowed him to complete this Intermediate Cup semi-final.

It was also that his side had been so thoroughly outplayed in the first half that the virtual second half stalemate was of little consequence in terms of which team would be at Twick-enham on Saturday, April 21.

There were few smiles on the pitch or off it from Cleck as Old Patesians showed just why they are in the hunt for promotion from South West One.

But not long after a twinkle had returned to the eyes of the 34-year-old former British Lion and he was talking as strongly and as sensibly as ever.

"We played against a very good side, a very strong side - stronger than any we have faced this season," admitted Bentley.

"They took us by storm in the first half, playing the elements and the pitch well. We lived with them in the second half, and I am immensely proud of my team for that, but they had won the game by then.

"We had watched a video of them against Maidstone, but they were certainly much better against us than them.

"But we didn't come down to make the numbers up; we came down to win.

"The pitch favoured them being so wet and muddy, but they would have beaten us had the match been played on a snooker table. And they would have beaten us had the match been played at Cleckheaton.

"It has been fantastic for us to get to the semi-finals, but the priority has always been the league, and we only need one more victory to ensure we win Yorkshire Division One."

Cleckheaton had to cope with 14 men for 41 minutes after lock Julian Brooksbank, whose temperament again showed itself to be far too brittle, was sent off for stamping.

By then the visitors were already 29-0 down, however, and the dismissal had nothing to do with the outcome of the match.

Too often in the first half Patesians ran on to the ball at pace - both forwards and backs - and almost always broke through the first line of defence.

First-half tries for the Cheltenham side came from flanker Clive Organ, No 8 Matt Dawson, lock Chris Raymond, although there was much post-match debate as to whether he had grounded the ball correctly, and flanker Dave Parry.

Full back Toby Robinson added three conversions and a penalty. Bentley got a try early in the second half, full back Alex Green converting, but scrum half Will Morgan replied with a try.