SSE National League Three North: Burnage 22 Cleckheaton 22

ANOTHER mediocre performance from Cleckheaton sacrificed a winning position on the 3G pitch of the south Manchester club, leaving the match as a draw.

The home side opened the scoring on three minutes with a penalty goal from Adam Knight but Cleckheaton responded straightaway when a high kick wasn't fielded and Danny Vento took advantage for a simple try, Ross Hayden converting.

Burnage scored a further penalty goal through Knight before a touch of class from Hayden saw the full back glide through the Burnage three-quarter line for Cleckheaton's second, Hayden adding a penalty goal just before half-time to give Cleckheaton a 15-6 lead at the break.

The visitors started the second period by putting the ball out on the full and then went on to concede too many penalties and, at times, lose their composure.

Tempers also frayed on the Burnage side but with a man in the sin bin, a break from centre Stuart Oldham put the home side back in the game.

A penalty from Knight narrowed the score to 15-14 but Cleckheaton looked to have regained control when Lee Queeley tip-toed down the touchline for the visitors' third try, which Hayden also converted.

With ten minutes left, calm heads would have seen the game out but that wasn't to be and Burnage's Knight charged in for an unconverted try.

Cleckheaton nervously defended a tap penalty close to their line before a further penalty on what was deemed the last play, was slotted through the sticks by Knight.