Old Crossleyans 12 Cleckheaton 14

Cleckheaton thoroughly deserved their first SSE North One East league win of the season yesterday, mainly because of their domination of territory and a plentiful supply of possession from the forwards.

However,this was a game full of honest endeavour from both sides, including hard-nosed defence, and all 36 players and the referee should be congratulated on the first-class entertainment on view.

The first half was very even with four penalties for the home side from winger Gareth Sweeney and three penalties by Iain Gordon for Cleckheaton.

The second half provided wind advantage to the visitors, and for the first ten minutes they dominated the exchanges, Gordon missing a penalty chance and several other scoring opportunities going begging.

In the 53rd minute, Cleckheaton scored the game's only try when hooker Steve Worsley popped up in his now customary position on the wing and sprinted 20 metres for an excellent try which was unconverted.

Both kickers had further chances to seal the game but in the end both side's defences held firm and Cleckheaton had gained a confidence-boosting win.