Late try condemns brave Cleckheaton to defeat (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Late try condemns brave Cleckheaton to defeat

2:20pm Sunday 8th January 2012 in Cleckheaton By Alan Bentley

Cleckheaton 15, Wheatley Hills 22

Yesterday's SSE North One East game was effectively won in the first half-hour when Wheatley Hills were able to brush aside a weak Cleckheaton defence to register three good tries,two from pacy centre Mike Heywood and a third from scrum half Ian Barker.

All three tries were unconverted as fly half Jack Cresswell struggled with the blustery conditions.

Cleckheaton came more into the game in the last ten minutes of the half and full back Jonno Marshall was given the space to dive over for a try which was converted from wide out by the excellent Iain Gordon.

The Cleckheaton marksman reduced the arrears to five points on the half-time whistle with his first penalty.

Momentum for the home side continued, and in the 55th minute skipper Richard Piper was driven over for a try which levelled the scores going into the last quarter.

Chances were plentiful for both sides but Cleckheaton were dominating territory and looked like causing an upset against their higher-ranking opponents.

However,with just five minutes to go the visitors broke through another missed tackle and replacement prop Sam Kerry dived over for the winning score which was converted by full back Jonny Woodcock.