Six of best sees Cleckheaton climb

Cleckheaton continued their late surge up the league table with a six-try performance against dogged and always competitive opponents.

Ultimately, the visitors were more decisive in the backs, where winger Martin Woodhead scored four second-half tries.

That secured five more points and saw Cleckheaton overtake Wheatley Hills to move into third place.

Pontefract went in front with a try in the fifth minute from hooker Andy Smith.

The early score provided the necessary wake-up call for the Bradford side and from a beautiful midfield break by Peter Murphy, Ross Hayden sprinted over for his 21st try of the season, converted by Iain Gordon.

Territory was even as Andy Dean put Pontefract back into the lead with a penalty.

Cleckheaton skipper Paul Turner was yellow-carded but Gordon regained the lead for the visitors with a penalty.

On the stroke of half-time, Pontefract reclaimed the initiative when their best player, No 8 Chris Planchant, drove over for a try, which was converted by Dean.

Cleckheaton were not finished though. Within a minute, full back Jonathon Marshall finished off a glorious passing move with another try.

Three points separated the sides at the break but, with the visitors becoming more expansive in the second half, Cleckheaton surged clear.

Hard-working winger Woodhead grabbed the headlines with four clinical tries, two of which were converted by Gordon.

Pontefract’s sole reply was an Andy Dean penalty but it was too little too late as the visitors ran out convincing winners.