National League Three North: Sandal 40 Cleckheaton 12

THIS was a disappointing display from Cleckheaton after two very encouraging performances so far in 2017.

The visitors didn't really turn up, handing Sandal some easy points, although the six tries the competent hosts scored exaggerated the difference between the sides.

Sandal got on the scoresheet first after a charged-down kick and a fumble from Cleckheaton, home winger Dom Fawcett gathering the ball and gliding through some uncommitted defending for the opening try for Greg Wood to convert.

The visitors tried to get into the game, but conceded penalties, which allowed Sandal to piggyback their way upfield.

From a line-out just outside Cleckheaton's 22, the home pack caught the ball and drove Cleckheaton back at speed for Ash Norbury to claim the touchdown, with Wood's conversion making it 14-0. 

A much-improved defensive effort was one way in which Cleckheaton slowly but surely clawed their way back into the game, and a Sandal indsgression gave the visitors an opportunity, whih they took via Ben Thrower's line-out throw and a pack drive which put Richard Piper over.

However, Sandal turned over possession from the restart, putting Cleckheaton on the back foot and, although an initial attack was halted, Sandal back-rower Nick Carolan, formerly of Ilkley, went over for Wood to again convert.

But Cleckheaton finished the match with the best-worked try of the day, with Jack Bickerdike, Neil Chivers and Matt Piper combining to put Cammy Burnhill through a hole in the defence, with the full back sprinting 20 metres to score.

That made the half-time score 21-12. Cleckheaton needed a good start to the second half, but didn't get it, a poor clearance kick landing in the hands of Sandal's back line, Fawcett ghosting over for his second try.

Fellow winger Simon Frewin scored Sandal's fifth try before Sam Whittingham went over for the sixth afer a close-in line-out, with Wood converting two of their three unanswered tries.

Cleckheaton know that these mistakes cannot be repeated a week on Saturday when they face Doncaster Phoenix in a crucial game.

The hosts are good enough to be higher than their current position of tenth, but most not only cut down ir errors but, more importantly, stick to the pre-arranged game plan. 

A win against Doncaster Phoenix will give them a welcome mine-point cushion on the relegation zone and put them on the heels of ninth-placed Ilkley.