Cleckheaton ready to face stern test against high-flyers
By Trevor Watson
CLECKHEATON hope for better luck tomorrow when they are due to play a re-arranged fixture in National Three North against Beverley at Moorend (2.15pm).
It promises to be a good test for Cleckheaton’s new-found confidence as the visitors are still in with a chance of claiming a top-two place but must keep winning.
Once again there is an early start with Beverley the latest club to be unhappy at the prospect of playing under lights, not that the Moorenders have had too many chances with so many visiting teams refusing to kick-off at 3pm.
Hopefully the match will also be able to go ahead as the postponement of last Saturday’s home game against Sheffield Tigers at almost the last minute was a blow, on and off the field.
The club had worked desperately hard on Friday afternoon to drain and flatten the pitch but overnight frost left it firm in places. There was an inspection at 9.30am on Saturday, when conditions were not good, and it was decided to look again at 11.15am.
The referee came from Durham and it was decided the match could go ahead.
But when Sheffield arrived, one or two of their officials were unhappy at a hard patch, estimated about three square yards, in the in-goal area, which was in the shadow of the scoreboard.
The chances of this patch even coming into play seemed slight but this was the basis of Sheffield’s refusal to play, even though most of their team were happy to go ahead with the game.
The pitch at Whitcliffe Mount was checked but there was a problem with the markings and it was felt to be too small.
Cleckheaton players were changed and went out to warm-up at Moorend and the majority of the Sheffield squad were also ready. But their officials were adamant about not playing, the Tigers stayed in the dressing room and the match was called off.
Cleckheaton official Alan Bentley said: “It was very embarrassing and costly for us on and off the field.
“There were about 150 spectators present and even some Sheffield players were angry the match was postponed. In these circumstances the referee doesn’t have any say in the matter unless the match has started.
“We lost revenue from admission, the sale of programmes because the inserts can’t be used again, and the match was sponsored. It is possible the sponsor might not be available on the new date.”
Coach Dave Harrison remarked: “It was apparent from the outset that some Sheffield people didn’t want to play and I thought their attitude was poor. After two good away performances, we were confident we could be in for another win.
“Hopefully we can keep the lads in the right frame of mind but the weather meant we couldn’t train on Tuesday of this week and if tomorrow’s match is off, we face a major backlog of fixtures.”
Cleckheaton’s last fixture is already as late as April 24 but if the Sheffield match is added to the list it could be May Day weekend.
The new date will be arranged by the RFU and the irony is that if they rule the match has to be played in midweek, Sheffield will be under the Moorend lights in any case, having declined a later start to play under them last Saturday.
At least the delay has given centre Matt Piper and back row man Lance Hamilton the chance to shake off their injuries and they have been added to the squad along with Geoff Jones, who is available again.
Cleckheaton deserve a win if only for their persistence.
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
