North One East: Morpeth 39 Cleckheaton 3

CLECKHEATON made their second of three trips in four weeks to Northumbria to face table-toppers Morpeth.

The Spen Valley men seemed unaffected by the two-and-a-half-hour journey as they started the game in top gear, getting on the front foot from the kick-off and pressurising their opposition.

Ball retention was good and the decision making was right as the game planwas gollowed to a tee.

Cleckheaton made their way upfield and had a good ten-minute spell in Morpeth’s 22 before winning a penalty under the sticks, which Mike Swetman converted into three points as the visitors took an early lead.

From this bright beginningm it largely went downhill for Cleckheaton.

Morpeth levelled the scores on the 20-minute mark with a penalty of their own,and a few minutes later they doubled their tally with a second successful shot at goal from fly half Ben Hornby.

The game was still in the balance but Cleck were starting to collect injuries, with lock Thiu Barnard, having to leave the field with a groin strain, pushing Paul Turner backwards into the second row.

A few minutes before half-time, Cleck conceded another penalty close to their line, which was quickly tapped by Morpeth for their opening try.

As Hornby lined up another successful conversion, Ryan Piercy had to be helped from the field with a bad ankle injury that may keep him sidelined for several weeks.

This left Cleckheaton trailing 13-3 at the whistle and facing the second half without either of their second rows.

The next 40 minutes were among the most forgettable of the season from a Cleckheaton point of view as Morpeth racked up four more tries, three of which were converted, without response from Cleckheaton.

The West Yorkshiremen started to back bite at each other and chelp at the referee as the penalty count grew evermore in Morpeth’s favour.

The home side, meanwhile, went through their plays and opened up a way to Cleck’s line every ten minutes or so.

Sam Hornby claimed a hat-trick for the Northumbrians, and Andy Shippen added the last try on the 70th minute.

At the final whistle, Cleckheaton’s players left the field dejected at their performance.

The effort on the whole was less than they are capable of and their mental toughness waned in the second half.

There was a couple of exceptions, however, with their man of the match Mikey Hayward constantly asking questions of Morpeth's defence.

The other bright note was the debut of Australian Grant Fitzsimmons, who joined the club recently and who played with great determination and enthusiasm throughout.

He was a late call-up to the side after the withdrawal of diabetic James Wilson on medical grounds.

He remains in hospital, and Cleckheaton RUFC wish him a speedy recovery.