North One East: Penrith 38 Cleckheaton 20

AN ACCIDENT on the M6 which stretched their coach journey to three hours and left them no time to stretch their legs en route was the last thing that Cleckheaton needed against last season's runners-up.

Undestandably, the visitors were slightly off the pace and, after a handling error and a missed tackle, they trailed 12-0 in as many minutes. 

Mike Swetman put them on the board with a penalty goal and, shortly afterwards, Cleckheaton scored the game's best try when Mike Hayward broke from his 22, gliding upfield at pace before feeding the supporting Ronan Evans for an excellent try.

Swetman converted from close to the touchline side and the visitors were back in it at 12-10 at the break.

Early in the second half, Ben Thrower entered the ruck from the side and Penrith were given a penalty, which they immediately tapped, establishing a simple two-on-one for a try.

Cleckheaton's woes continued as Jack Seddon was somewhat harshly sin-binned for a technical offence, and during his ten minutes on the sidelines, Penrith went in for two more tries to effectively seal their victory.

The visitors did not give up though and, despite trailing 31-10, upped the intensity to a level that would have surely given them the spoils if only they'd started the match in similar fashion.

Several Cleckheaton forwards went close before Hayward tiptoed in down the touchline.

Cleckheaton threw the ball around with vigour in the last ten minutes but when a tap back from a Cleckheaton crossfield kick was intercepted by a Penrith player, the Cumbrians went in for their sixth and final try.

The West Yorkshiremen had the last say, however, when Evans went in for his second try after excellent handling from Matt Piper and Swetman.

The final scoreline slightly flattered the home side.

Cleckheaton's mistakes gifted Penrith tries and, with a little tightening up in defence, the Moorenders could easily have taken the spoils.