North One East: West Hartlepool 17 Cleckheaton 11

CLECKHEATON travelled to Brinkburn for the first time since the 2013-14 season but returned from the North One East match with only a losing bonus point in a 17-11 defeat.

After their victory over Northern the previous week and with a considerably better record than the hosts (four wins compared to a win and a draw), the visitors travelled in hope but were behind in the second minute to a 25-metre Gavin Painter penalty goal after a high tackle.

Both sides then missed a shot at goal before, in the 27th minute, good work by the Cleckheaton pack gave winger Pat Foulstone the chance to go over on the left for a well-worked try.

Mike Swetman added a penalty for the visitors just before half-time as Wests killed the ball to prevent a try, Ryan Painter being sent to the sin-bin. 

Cleckheaton couldn't capitalise on their man advantage, however, and the hosts added a converted try by Gavin Painter following a good Carl Miller offload.

Tempers frayed, with the referee talking to both captains in an appeal for calm, and Wests got their second try in the 72nd minute after Cleck lost a line-out, Scott Butcher scampering over next to the posts for Gavin Painter to convert for 17-8. 

Cleckheaton couldn't hit back with a try, but, with a penalty advantage, Swetman slotted the simple kick to give the visitors a losing bonus point.

The match ended with another scuffle, Barnard and Baggs being sent to the sin-bin.