Cleckheaton made the long trip to Morpeth and for the second year in a row came back empty handed on the end of a 34-19 North One East defeat.

The team’s recent home record has been outstanding but Cleck are still searching for their first win on the road this season.

Morpeth had the game’s first score after only five minutes when a break down the right and an offload in the tackle led to a try for winger Stevenson, converted by Boldy.

On 15 minutes, Cleckheaton equalised following a good set-piece lineout. The resulting maul rumbled towards the Morpeth goal line put was taken to ground short. The ball was quickly recycled by scrum half Bickerdike and quick hands by Dearing and Swetman put full back Wilson over, Swetman adding the extras.

Both sides were guilty of handling errors as the rain intensified. On 30 minutes following two quick penalties, Morpeth were camped on the visitors line and, when the ball was moved wide to the right, a second try was scored, converted by Boldy.

On the stroke of half-time, scrum half Eliott increased the lead with a blindside move from a scrum close to the line as Morpeth went in 19-7 up at the interval.

At the start of the second half, Cleckheaton had to shuffle the pack through injury to Carley and Barnard. It didn't help when replacement prop Jackson was shown the yellow card for tackling the player without the ball, the simple penalty taking the score to 22-7.

Whilst Cleck were reduced to 14 men, Morpeth left wing Jardine broke away to score a fine try to give the home side a try bonus point and a 27-7 lead.

Cleckheaton started to gain confidence and, after several phases, replacement Woodhead was pushed over the line for a try but Swetman hit the post with the conversion.

A searing run down the left by Jardine and a smart kick through found no Cleckheaton player within 10 metres of the try line and flanker Craigs picked up and scored under the posts to put the game out of reach at 34-12.

Cleckheaton did not give up the ghost and battled hard in an attempt to claw back some of Morpeth’s advantage. With two tries in the bag already a bonus point was not out of the question.

This became a real possibility when Cleckheaton won a scrum against the head and Crowther powered over for a try from 10 metres out. Dearing converted with Swetman now off the field due to a calf injury, which will keep him out of this week’s game at home to West Leeds (3pm).