Cleck let down by discipline

6:21pm Sunday 30th March 2008

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Cleckheaton 7, Middlesbrough 13

In what was Cleckheaton's first home game for a month, their indiscipline cost them in a 13-7 North Division One defeat against Middlesbrough yesterday.

The hosts started well on a wet and windy afternoon, but a loose pass let Boro upfield and, from a sixth-minute penalty, Steve Moore put them 3-0 ahead.

Cleckheaton continued to battle hard in midfield, but were unable to break the visitors' defence until James Walker did so in the 20th minute, only for him to spill the ball.

Boro went further in front from a 26th-minute Moore penalty on halfway, but Cleckheaton hit back with a kick and chase from Joe South, the flanker being bundled into touch after a 40-metre run.

The visitors extended their lead in the 38th minute with a crossfield move that ended with a Mick Wright try, Moore converting for 13-0 but also missing a penalty just before the interval.

Cleckheaton started the second half well and almost scored in the 48th minute, only for Ross Hayden to be held up over the line.

The home side had Carl Mason sent to the sin bin four minutes later, Boro's Bob Horton following him in the 55th minute.

Richard Piper (Cleckheaton) and Mark Howe (Middlesbrough) were yellow-carded inside the final ten minutes, Hayden diving over for a try which he also converted.