Lack of line-out ball thwarts Cleckheaton

A keenly-contested affair was decided by Cleckheat-on’s inability to secure lineout possession in the second half, coupled with Boro’s knack of slowing the ball down at rucks and mauls.

The visitors’ full back Jack Bircham had the first chance to score but his penalty went wide.

Iain Gordon however, was successful for the home side with his penalty attempt.

Bircham levelled the scores on the half-hour mark but Gordon restored Cleckheaton’s lead with his second penalty.

As half-time approached, the hosts launched a series of attacks but Gordon’s speculative pass in search of a try was intercepted by Bircham and he sprinted over from 80 metres, also converting.

The second half began with a controversial yellow card for Cleckheaton’s Richard Piper which was hotly disputed by the home contingent.

The card proved to be decisive as the big Boro pack took advantage of their numerical advantage to drive a maul for their second try.

Although Gordon kicked two more penalties, Boro once more showed their forward prowess by driving another well-orchestrated maul to the line for a decisive converted try.