CLECKHEATON'S position at the lower end of the North One East table still looks precarious after they were unable to make it back-to-back wins at home to Driffield in a 17-11 defeat at a windswept Moorend.

Cleckheaton made two changes to the team that won at Pocklington the previous week, full back James Wilson and centre Ollie Depledge missing out with knee injuries and Brad Marsden filling in on the right wing with Mike Swetman at full back.

Driffield opened the scoring on 20 minutes after a high tackle gave James Watts a penalty goal from 20 metres out.

Cleckheaton went close when Mike Hayward was put into space down the left and fed Danny Booth but the pass was deemed forward. Ryan Piercy was also held up over the line.

It took until the final seconds of the half before Cleckheaton opened their account with a 35 metre goal by Dale Breakwell, leaving the sides tied 3-3 at the interval.

Very early in the second period Watts added his second penalty goal to push Driffield ahead again.

Tom Austin took the field with Josh Plunkett making way and he was joined on the bench moments later when Matt Piper was sent to the sin bin - the referee finding fault when Cleckheaton’s captain came right through the centre of a ruck to turn over the ball.

Driffield took immediate advantage with the scrum option and when the ball went left, centre Gary Stephenson crashed over near the corner flag.

Cleckheaton were getting across the gain line but on several occasions the ball was inexplicably put to ground in handling errors.

On the hour Breakwell reduced the lead to one score with a penalty goal as the Driffield number 8 Brankley was sent to the sin bin.

More pressure by Cleckheaton and quick hands by Breakwell and Swetman put Hayward into a gap and the centre stepped around the defence for his 11th try of the season to level at 11-11.

The increased morale was short lived as several players watched motionless as the restart was allowed to bounce. It was pounced on by a Driffield player who got deep into Cleckheaton 22 before being brought down illegally and Watts added another goal.

This lead was extended to 17-11 when Watts added another penalty.

Cleckheaton were held up on the line twice before being awarded a penalty, which they kicked to touch for a line-out.

Driffield didn’t contest the lineout but instead shaped to repel the push. A Driffield forward fell onto the floor on the gain line and a couple of players in Cleckheaton’s rolling maul fell trying to straddle the obstruction.

The ball became trapped and the referee awarded Driffield the scrum. This was the last play as Cleckheaton had to settle for a losing bonus point.