Cleckheaton lose a game of two halves (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Cleckheaton lose a game of two halves

8:40pm Sunday 30th September 2012 in Sport By Sports Desk

Pocklington 24 Cleckheaton 23

In this North One East match between two old adversaries, Pocklington managed to claw their way back into a game where at one point they were 23-9 down.

The hosts opened the scoring with a penalty from full back Nick Bennett but the response from Cleckheaton was almost immediate when Ross Hayden levelled matters with his first attempt at goal.

The two marksmen swapped further penalty efforts to level the scores at 9-9 as half-time approached.

Cleckheaton had performed well in the forward exchanges and from an attacking line Oliver Akroyd secured good possession. The ball was driven on by the pack, creating the space for Jack Bickerdike to feed winger Martin Woodhead, who sped in for the game’s first try. Ross Hayden converted and the visitors were in the ascendancy.

Cleckheaton extended their lead in the 42nd minute with hooker Steve Worsley’s third try of the season. Hayden again tagged on the extras.

At this point the win appeared to be in the bag for the confident Cleckheaton side. However, a combination of Pocklington’s resourcefulness and the visitors’ naivety changed the face of the game.

Tries from wing Billy Higgins and an exceptional solo effort from back row Jack Holbrough, both converted by Nick Bennett, reduced the deficit to one point with 15 minutes to go.

A late penalty from Bennett proved to be the winner but both sides could take encouragement from their overall team performances.