Cleckheaton’s match at Hartlepool Rovers on Saturday marks the start of three successive matches against the bottom three in North One East.

“We are hoping to cash in in terms of league points,” said Cleckheaton spokesman Alan Bentley.

“Unfortunately, it looks as if our big second row Dave Freeman is out for the season.

"He has had a shoulder operation after rotating his AC joint but Ryan Piercy did very well in the second row last week against Durham City.

“They are a good side and had only lost four games during the season prior to us beating them 34-13.

“We showed a good spirit and clinical execution, Martin Woodhead scoring two very good tries despite not having played in the first team for a while.”