CLECKHEATON gave North One East leaders York a real scare before a late brace gave the hosts a 38-22 win, which did not reflect how close the game was.

Joey Carley and Mike Swetman returned after injury and Ben Thrower also resumed at hooker. Thiu Barnard picked up a knock the previous week and joined Tom Austin, Josh Plunkett and Brad Marsden on the out-of-contention back rowers' list but this allowed former junior Matty Deighton to make an impressive first-team debut.

Martin Woodhead crossed for his fourth try in five games after just seven minutes but York hit back following a scrum infringement, kicking the penalty to the corner and No 8 Goulding touching down.

Dawes put his side in front 7-5 but Cleckheaton regained the lead when Matt Piper powered over from close range and Ben Dearing added the conversion.

After a poor kick out of defence from Cleck, York’s Davies and Gareth Singleton combined for the latter to score a fine try. Singleton crossed again as the hosts led 21-12 at the break.

Cleckheaton started the second half brightly and, after lock Josh Malkinson was halted short of the line, scrum half Jack Bickerdike picked up for an opportunist try.

A war of attrition developed in the cold and blustery conditions before York broke the deadlock with a converted penalty.

Cleckheaton hit back five minutes later, Bickerdike creating space on the right flank and No 8 Jack Seddon powering over for Cleck’s bonus-point try. Again, the kick didn’t make it through the uprights but York’s lead was narrowed to just two points.

With 10 minutes to play and the result hanging in the balance, York centre Chris Peace ran through some pretty ordinary defence and, though caught short of the line, was able to pop the ball up to Goulding who crossed for York’s fourth try.

The match was halted when York winger Singleton sustained a broken ankle and had to be removed from the field by ambulance. To enable the emergency services to attend to him fully, the game was switched to an adjacent pitch for the last few minutes.

Cleck were denied a losing bonus point when a quick tap penalty resulted in York crossing again via scrum half Atkin and Dawes converted.

Cleckheaton showed a lot of spirit and determination but their line-out drills and kicking game wasn’t at its best. Pocklington visit Moorend this weekend, kick-off 2.15pm.