SSE National League Three North

Cleckheaton 24

Billingham 18

Cleckheaton maintained their 100 per cent home record with probably their most satisfying performance of their SSE National League Three North season so far.

Hindered by enforced team changes, the hosts displayed enormous character to ultimately earn a bonus-point win to take them to the lofty heights of sixth in the table.

The best score of the game came after only two minutes when Ross Hayden claimed possession on halfway to speed through a hesitant defence and touch down out wide.

Just to reinforce the quality of the score, Hayden converted from the touchline.

Billingham responded with a try from Dan Finney, converted by Peter Evans, and the tight first half ended at 12-12 following tries from Callum Thompson, for the home side, and Peter Evans for the visitors.

The Cleckheaton pack held the upper hand in the forwards, especially in the scrums, where they had total dominance, and this pressure led to two further tries – one from the always dangerous Ross Hayden and a penalty try following intense forward pressure.

Billingham could only muster two penalties from Evans in response, and the home crowd went home happy following a tremendous match which was well refereed and always highly competitive.