North One East: Cleckheaton 12 Driffield 22 

DRIFFIELD'S win over Cleckheaton, coupled with Morpeth’s defeat at West Hartlepool  propelled last weekend’s visitors to Moorend to the top of the North One East league table.

Cleckheaton went into the game missing several of their most experienced players but welcomed Lee Queeley back in at outside centre, where he made an instant impact, putting in the tackle of the day to thwart a Driffield attack.

Ryan Piercy also made his return, initially to the bench, after a back injury that has kept him out for a month.

Despite Cleckheaton’s defensive efforts in the opening ten minutes, Driffield could not be kept at bay altogether and won a penalty under the sticks, which they converted into three points.

The visitors from the Yorkshire Wolds had the bit between their teeth and continued to press Cleckheaton’s line.

The home team’s defence remained solid but the pressure led to a five-metre scrum and, after a number of phases, Driffield went in for their first try.

Cleckheaton tried to work their way into the match and had a good spell of pressure but could not convert this into points, and at the break Driffield led 10–0.

The home team began the second half reinvigorated and took the game to Driffield in a mirror image of the first period.

Likewise the defence held out for ten minutes but eventually enterprising play in the back line put James Wilson in for an excellent try for Cleck.

The conversion was added by Mike Swetman, and the home team were right back in it.

Driffield looked to mount a response but a handling error thwarted their attempt and Cleckheaton cleared their lines.

The resulting line-out caught Cleckheaton completely offguard, and the Driffield catcher was able to run 20 metres upfield without a hand being laid on him, eventually culminating in a second try for the visitors to bring the score to 15-7.

Cleckheaton’s heads did not go downm however, and the forwards worked hard to establish good field position, with Jack Seddon and man of the match Josh Plunkett eager for work.

It was the backs once again though that would make the breakthrough.

A dancing run from Mikey Hayward created an initial break, and Ronan Evans then promoted the ball further with good support work before off-loading back to Hayward, who just made it to the line, despite the attentions of the Driffield full back.

The conversion was missed but the deficit had narrowed to 15-12.

Cleckheaton looked to be in the ascendancy and Driffield’s play became nervy as thoughts no doubt went back to Cleckheaton’s last-minute win in the reverse fixture in September.

Driffield got possession in Cleckheaton’s 22, but the home side turned the ball over and prepared to clear upfield.

This time, rather than kicking ahead, Cleck’s back line decided to run the ball - a decent option designed to catch Driffield’s defence off guard.

It could have worked as the visitors' defensive line was showing a dog leg. 

Unfortunately, however, the pass to turn this in to an advantage was too close to the Driffield centre, who intercepted and ran the ball in from 20 metres out.

The conversion was also added, but there was no further scoring.