North One East: Dinnington 29 Cleckheaton 20

THIS was a fairly dismal display by Cleckheaton on a fairly dismal day at Dinnington.

A crosswind strong enough to bring sweat to the forehead of any toupee wearer blew with a vengeance throughout as goalkicking, and indeed any kick that took to the air, was fraught with unpredictability.

Despite this, Dinnington did manage to kick three conversions and a penalty to take the points from a game in which both sides scored four tries.

Cleckheaton went 10-0 in front with tries from Mikey Hayward and Paul Turner.

The first try came following good work from the centre partnership of Matt Piper and Liam Darville, with Hayward going over in the left-hand corner, and the second was a champagne moment as Jack Seddon and Turner combined on the wing like seasoned backs to put the latter in at the right corner.

Cleckheaton looked on course for a sizeable victory but Dinnington, fielding their strongest side this season according to the locals, were far from done.

The home team worked hard to get upfield and were rewarded with a line-out close to Cleckheaton’s line, only for miscommunication within the visiting pack allowing Dinnington to set up a maul and walk to the line with next to no opposition.

Dinnington levelled the scores five minutes later with another try on the back of a defensive error from Cleckheaton.

This was converted, despite the ridiculously strong wind, and the sides changed ends with Cleckheaton trailing 12-10.

Mike Swetman put the visitors in front five minutes into the second half with a nicely-taken try, but he could not add the conversion.

Dinnington hit back with their best try of the day, and converted it to extend their lead to four points.

Cleckheaton looked the better side in terms of territory and possession but were noticeably quieter that Dinnington in everything they did.

The hosts' enthusiasm was high but, despite this, Cleckheaton took the lead again when good work from the forwards, directed by Jack Bickerdike at scrum half, took the visitors close, and then Ryan Piercy barged his way over.

Cleck had a 20-19 lead and looked back in control, only for their line-out, whjich had worked well all day, to fail them.

Cleck’s line out had worked well all day but as Dinnington kicked deep it failed them.

A throw five metres from Cleck’s line was spilled, and Dinnington went in for another converted try.

With the minutes ticking down, Cleckheaton’s hopes of winning the match, and even their hopes of getting two bonus points, were thwarted by an 80th-minute penalty goal for Dinnington.

This was Dinnington's first win of the season, and it was well deserved for their never-say-die attitude.

Cleckheaton's players need to up the volume and the forwards need to rediscover their bite.

Coach Thiu Barnard is expecting a big response from the players when they welcome Gosforth-based Northern to Moorend on Saturday.