Cleckheaton 2nds 14 vs. Selby 3rds 31 Saturday 10th November

Cleckheaton 2nds 14 vs. Selby 3rds 31 Saturday 10th November
Whilst this fixture was billed as a friendly all amicable considerations were left in the changing rooms along with the glass eyes and false teeth.
Cleck fielded a purposeful looking unit and were given the advantage of the slope in a first half which commenced with an impeccably observed minute’s silence.
The early exchanges saw play pendulum between the twenty-two’s with neither side getting the upper hand. Aiden Pierce broke the deadlock after 25 minutes stealing through to dot down behind the sticks & make Leigh Adamson’s conversion attempt a formality and with the interval looming Ben Spence demonstrated outstanding sleight of hand to put Howard Crowson in for an unconverted try
The second half was barely a minute old when, with Adam Roberts drawing the defence out wide, Pierce pounced a second time, dummying through the ensuing gap to touch down under the sticks for the grateful Adamson to stroke over the extras.
Cleck pulled a converted try back minutes later to show they were still up for the battle. James Robinson then delivered a stinging riposte to further extend the score in Selby’s favour.
Selby’s indiscipline deep in their own twenty-two allowed the match official to march Cleck within striking distance and they gratefully accepted the full quota of points
Selby put the game beyond doubt shortly before full time with Roberts’ animal magnetism again pulling Cleck’s defence out wide before looping a pass inside for Robinson to plunder his second score and Adamson his third to complete the day’s business.
In a team of varying age and experience the eight colts that played put in a good shift in the face of resolute defence by Cleck. The power of the Selby pack was complemented by Harry Crowson’s industry and Adamson’s accuracy underpinned by Mickey Parsonage’s loquacious promptings