National League Three North: Sheffield Tigers 26 Cleckheaton 0

CLECKHEATON made the leaders work hard for the spoils at Dore Moor but eventually the promotion hopefuls showed their class and secured the five points that they were probably expecting before the game kicked off.

The visitors started brightly and took the game to the home side but could not put anything on the scoreboard to show for their efforts.

Tigers gained territory as Cleckheaton conceded penalties but, despite several midfield runs, could not get through the West Yorkshiremen’s steely defence.

Halfway through the first period, the deadlock was broken when Tigers put together a catch and drive from close range and Will Bennett went in for a try, converted by former Otley fly half Mark Ireland.

Their advantage was doubled when a clever inside ball put Henri Packard through a gap, and Ireland once again added the conversion.

Cleckheaton worked hard to get upfield and put pressure on the Tigers’ line but, with a minute left in the first half, a mazy run from centre Jamie Broadley bamboozled Cleckheaton’s defence for Tigers’ third try.

The conversion was missed but at half-time the home side led 19-0.

Cleckheaton regrouped at the interval and, playing downhill in the second half, put in an encouraging display.

They retained possession well, with Tigers having to work very hard to get any ball, and the visitors found themselves camped in Tigers’ 22 on numerous occasions but could not get over the line.

Often this was because patience ran out and the team opted to kick through rather than continuing steadily bashing their way upfield, which had been their best tactic.

Tigers' line-out was disrupted a number of times, and the leaders, despite having pace and power all over the park, repeatedly had their attacking manoeuvres thwarted.

Just as the game looked to be heading for a scoreless second half, Tigers got a scrum deep within Cleckheaton territory.

The scrum went to ground twice, with Tigers being awarded a penalty each time, and when a player was caught offside as Tigers broke from the back of the scrum, the referee headed for the sticks and award a penalty try.

Ireland did the the honours with the conversion to seal Tigers' 26-0 victory.

Jack Seddon, who started at No 8 before reverting to flanker, and centre James Wilson did best for Cleckheaton.