North One East: Bridlington 29 Cleckheaton 22

CLECKHEATON fell to another North One East defeat on the east coast, where poor discipline and missed opportunities cost them the game at Bridlington.

The hosts had the visitors under extreme pressure in the early stages as Cleckheaton conceded three penalties.

After eight minutes, a driving maul was successfully guided over Cleckheaton's try line, and prop Reece Webb was awarded the score, which was converted by Dan Robinson.

Cleckheaton then got a foothold in the Bridlington half and, following a catch and drive at the line-out, flanker Brad Marsden scored wide on the right, although the conversion was missed.

On 24 minutes, Cleckheaton's James Wilson was sent to the sin bin, and Robinson kicked the penalty to take the score to 10-5. Bridlington then extended their lead with another try on 28 minutes when Michael Risdale saw a gap in the defence to go over, with Robinson again adding the conversion.

Shortly before half-time, Harvey Morrison extended the home side's lead to 22-5 with another try after Cleckheaton scrum half Jack Bickerdike was shown a yellow card.

Cleckheaton coach Thiu Barnard read the riot act at the half-time break but, following a scrum on 48 minutes, Bridlington No 8 James Thompson picked up and spun out of a tackle to score unopposed under the posts, with Robinson adding an easy conversion to extend the lead to 29-5.

Matt Piper and Andy Piper were replaced on 50 minutes by Martin Woodhead and Niall Jackson.

When Cleckheaton managed to retain possession, they played some attractive rugby and, following a 20-metre driving maul, Tom Austin crashed over to reduce the arrears to 29-10.

Then, after a bout of unpleasantness, Bridlington full back Will Davies got a yellow card and Cleckheaton prop Paul Turner was given a red one.

Cleckheaton improved in the final 20 minutes with 14 men, however.

Mike Swetman crossed for a try wide on the right to make it 29-15, and, after 77 minutes and after several thrusts for the line, an overlap was created for Woodhead to score and Swetman converted to narrow the gap to 29-22.

The outstanding Joey Carley was Cleckheaton's man of the match and, to add to his tackling effort, he also put Mikey Hayward into space, but he was stopped short of the line.

With time running out, Swetman tried to kick to the corner but put the ball touch in goal.

When play restarted, Keiron Downs, Ben Dearing and Hayward combined but the ball was ultimately lost and the final whistle blew.

Cleckheaton picked up a try-bonus point and a losing bonus point from the game, but the poor discipline is causing concern.