Cleckheaton blow hot to climb two places (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Two-try Piper calls the tune for Cleckheaton in ideal warm-up for Billingham showdown

5:02pm Sunday 22nd January 2012 in Cleckheaton By Sports Desk

Cleckheaton 25 Gateshead 0

Despite a howling gale and determined opponents, Cleckheaton gained a much-needed bonus-point win in Division North One East against Gateshead.

The result pushed them two places up the league and was a timely confidence boost for their clash with leaders Billingham this coming Saturday.

The strength of the wind meant that any thoughts of an expansive game had to be shelved and in its place a pragmatic approach ensued, with the side who retained possession the longest likely to be the victors.

Cleck played with the ‘hurricane’ at their backs in the first half and tries from Ross Hayden and two from Richard Piper opened up a decisive lead.

Any kicks at goal were a complete lottery and Iain Gordon’s valiant attempts at conversions were blown off course.

The second half saw smart work from the home forwards and, despite having the advantage of the elements, Gates-head rarely ventured into Cleckheaton territory.

Two further tries for Jonno Marshall and Piper were a true reflection of the home side’s superiority and the brave crowd had been rewarded with a much-improved second-half performance, especially from the forwards, where young second row Matt Beasty and veteran Steve Worsley were outstanding.