Spirited Cleckheaton give leaders a real run for their money
By Tony Harber Morley 14 Cleckheaton 3
CLECKHEATON produced a spirited display, but found local rivals Morley too tough a nut to crack at a wet Scatcherd Lane on Saturday.
The improving Moorenders took an early lead in the West Yorkshire derby to raise hopes of a surprise victory, but although they tackled well and never gave in they were to ultimately leave without a point to show for their efforts.
And they were unable to break down the defence of the current National Three North leaders, who not only boast the best defensive record in the division, but also in the whole of the league structure.
Averaging only just over nine points a game this season, the Maroons were always going to be tough to score against, but Cleckheaton took just seven minutes to put the first points on the board as winger Ross Hayden slotted a penalty.
With half-backs Pete Murphy and Dom Castle, up against their former team, pushing the hosts back with a succession of touch finding kicks, the visitors enjoyed the better of the play in the opening quarter and a series of forward drives took them close to the try-line.
But they were repelled by some strong tackling and the pressure was relieved after second row Carl Mason was unfortunate to knock on close to the line.
Gradually the Maroons came into the game and they levelled on 25 minutes when their former Cleckheaton winger, Simon Bradshaw kicked a penalty.
They then went in front on the half-hour when Mark Chester's excellent kick over the top caught out the Cleckheaton defence and winger Chris Morgan won the chase to dive on the ball over the line.
With Chester adding a drop-goal on 34 minutes the hosts led 11-3 at half-time and the Moorenders could count themselves unlucky to be trailing by such a score.
However, the second 40 saw the visitors rarely able to break out of their own half as fly-half Chester kept them pinned back with some long kicks that regularly turned round the defence.
Full-back Joe Massarella coped well under high balls and Mason in particular did well in the line-out to ensure the hosts did not run away with the game. And despite all the pressure, Morley were only able to add three more points through the boot of Bradshaw as they were frustrated by some fine tackling and determination from Cleckheaton players.
Winger Mitch Ashworth did well to save a certain try when he raced back to beat Chester to the ball in a desperate race to the line after the home fly-half had hacked on a loose ball.
Several more chances went begging with dropped balls in the difficult conditions, while Chester was inches wide with another drop-goal attempt.
As a result the visitors stayed in the game right to the end and they exerted some late pressure of their own before it all came to nothing with a knock-on from a line-out near the home line.
Cleckheaton could be rightly proud of their effort overall against the league leaders, but they were ultimately second-best to a team that has now won 10 matches on the trot.
Morley: Evans; Morgan, Ash, Murray, S Bradshaw; Chester, S Dadswell; Gabriel, Darbyshire, Gray, Stannard, Chamberlain, Field, Hewetson, Battye. Replacements: Nutbeen (used), Brocklehurst, Marshall (unused).
Cleckheaton: Massarella; Ashworth, Jackson, M Piper, Hayden; Murray, Castle; Turner, Worsley, Goodwin, Mason, Burrow, Jones, R Piper, Hamilton. Replacements: Edwards, A Piper (used), Depledge (unused).
Referee: Dean Lythgoe.
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
