Cleckheaton all set for biggest game of season
By Trevor Watson
CLECKHEATON face their biggest home game of the season when they entertain title-chasers Morley in National Three North at Moorend tomorrow (3pm).
The derby fixture certainly has an extra edge to it with Cleckheaton anxious for a win to help their climb away from the relegation zone and the visitors desperate to keep the pressure on the leaders Stockport, who are five points ahead of the Scatcherd Lane side but have played a game more.
This situation suggests both teams will also be keen to pick up the try bonus at Moorend and the fact there is an excellent chance of firm going for almost the first time this year makes in an exciting prospect.
Add the fact that Cleckheaton have a pre-match lunch with 250 guests and there should be a very good atmosphere for the game.
Despite the difference in league positions, much-improved Cleckheaton are certainly not without hope. After two wins and a draw in three games, they were bitterly disappointed to go down at Middlesbrough last Saturday and Rochdale’s five-point win moved them seven clear of the Moorenders.
But Cleckheaton were in with a chance until the closing minutes when they were caught out by two late tries as they chased the game and tried to snatch victory, rather than settle for a bonus point.
Coach Dave Harrison said the Moorenders were hoping to select from strength and added: “We seem to have turned the corner. We have played some good rugby this year and if the conditions are favourable, we can really stretch Morley.
“Our pack has been in very good form, Morley like to use their forwards and pressure teams with their kicking game and strong defence but we are aiming to counter that this time.
“We played well at Scatcherd Lane but didn’t have a big kicker to help us clear our lines, this time we will have in Iain Gordon and there is always Owen Edwards on hand to bring on. We hope to be able to negate their kicking game.”
Although they were not in the best of form when the teams last met, Cleckheaton were by no means outplayed and went down only 14-3 to a side who had won their previous nine games.
Morley’s long winning run came to an end at Penrith last month and they have since been heavily beaten, 38-0 at Birkenhead Park, so they are seeking to avoid a third successive away defeat.
A number of players have appeared in both sides, not least Morley winger Simon Bradshaw and Cleckheaton centre Pete Murphy and scrum-half Dominic Castle for the Moorenders.
Bradshaw has scored 15 tries – eight in his last five appearances – and he is now the established goalkicker at Scatcherd Lane, having worked very hard on this aspect of his game over the last two seasons.
Murphy was at stand-off when the teams last met but the arrival of Gordon has meant a return to his preferred position of inside centre and the team have benefited from this. He looks set for a keen duel with visiting centre Michael Ash, who has been in fine form.
Harrison said: “We are hoping for a big crowd. There is a lot of local interest and the fact so many lads have played for both clubs given another edge to things. We have changed the way we defend with our back three and it gives us more chance to counter-attack. It promises to be a cracking game.”
Selected sides
CLECKHEATON RUFC
1st XV v Morley, ko 3pm, meet 1.15pm: A Godwin, A Piper, C Mason, D Castle, G Jones, I Gordon, J Massarella, M Burrows, M Piper, M Ashworth, O Edwards, P Turner, P Murphy, R Piper. Reps: R Hayden, R Piercy, S Worsley.
4th XV v Halifax, ko 2.45pm. meet 12.45pm: A Dyson, T Clapham, S Hadcroft, L Bashforth, S Beech, J Duggan, R Noble, D Furness, R Motlib, L Goldthorpe, J Brown, L Haigh, A Lowe, D Graham, R Oldroyd, A Smith, M Blakeley, D Burton, G Dixon, F Loker.
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
