Cleckheaton 40 - 19 Malton & Norton

Cleckheaton extended their winning streak to four games in a row last Saturday to leave themselves in seventh place, within touching distance of Bridlington, who have a points deduction looming over them.

Lee Queeley and Ryan Piercy both failed late fitness tests. This promoted Grant Fitzsimmons to the starting line-up and the winger went on to win Cleckheaton’s Man of the Match.

It also allowed the return of Tom Austin from a long-term injury. He filled in for Piercy in the second row and marked the occasion by scoring Cleckheaton’s first try. Mike Swetman converted to give them a 7-0 lead.

Malton & Norton possessed a three-quarter line that had the potential to break from anywhere on the field and when they collected a spilled ball by Cleck, they ran 65 metres for an equalising score.

Cleckheaton got themselves back into attack mode. Following a scrum, scrum-half Jack Bickerdike showed the ball to stand-off Ronan Evans before darting through the smallest of gaps for his side's second try. Swetman converted with ease.

Cleckheaton’s third score of the half saw fine work from the pack. Josh Plunkett, Luke Pearson and Paul Turner amongst others drove hard before Swetman crashed over for an excellent try. He converted it himself to make it 21-7.

Malton capitalised on a flurry of Cleckheaton infringements early in the second period, with Tom Foan ultimately going in for an unconverted try that put the visitors back within nine points.

Cleckheaton responded quickly though. Bickerdike quickly tapped a penalty and a long pass by Matt Piper and a great, unselfish, feed from Mikey Hayward allowed Jack Seddon in at the corner. Swetman added the extras.

The home side went straight back on the attack and although Malton cleared their lines temporarily, they found themselves stretched as Cleckheaton attacked up the left flank.

A perfectly weighted pass from Hayward switched play to the other wing where Grant Fitzsimmons was rewarded for a fine individual performance with a try.

Swetman finally missed a kick as his conversion sailed wide but the scoreboard still read 33-12 to the home side with 20 minutes remaining.

Cleckheaton’s sixth and final try of the afternoon came from more great work by the forwards. Malton & Norton were only able to stop them illegally and the referee awarded a penalty try.

Malton kept trying to the end and Nick Rangiuira claimed a late consolation try.

There is no game on Easter Saturday and the team will take a well-earned rest before kicking on for the last three games of the season, starting with an away game at bottom club Percy Park, who play in Tyneside at North Shields.