Regular scoring made an entertaining match

After the call-off by Keighley 3rds earlier in the week, Cleckheaton 4ths offered to fill the void and attended at West Vale for a game on a dull but dry afternoon. The first few minutes saw the opposition dominant with the Cleck pack causing problems at the set pieces. After 5 minutes, they were awarded a penalty some 30 metres out. The kick found touch and when they took the ball from the lineout, a scrum resulted as a result of a locked-in ball at the ruck. From the scrum, the number 8 picked up and scored a try without a finger being laid upon him. The conversion from the touchline was successful. 0 – 7 and not the best of starts. After 9 minutes, the Cleck scrum half made a good break into Heath territory. His inside pass was knocked forwards and the ball was secured by Heath and passed along the line. Centre Junaid MALIK made a good break before passing to right winger, Danny HOLT who ran strongly down the touchline knocking off several attempted tackles before he then passed back inside to supporting captain, Guy AUSTIN who scored by the side of the posts. The conversion from Mick GLEESON was successful. 7 – 7 After 14 minutes, Heath took the lead when Cleck lost the ball in the tackle near halfway and Mick GLEESON picked up before stepping inside a couple of players and placing the ball down behind the try line for a try which he converted 14 – 7. Heath increased their lead after 18 minutes when Mick GLEESON got the ball and set off on a mazy run before scoring a try which he again converted 21 – 7 After 20 minutes, Heath made 3 replacements. Anthony DARLING replaced hooker, Steve RICHARDSON; Charlie LOMAS replaced winger, Stuart ABERDEEN and Josh LISTER replaced Michael DODD at wing forward. After 30 minutes, Danny HOLT got the ball on the right wing and he beat 2 players before scoring a try converted by Mick GLEESON. 28 – 7. After 36 minutes, Guy AUSTIN got the ball in his own half and set off on a weaving run cutting back inside and finding Josh LISTER in support who finished off the move in the corner, The conversion was missed. 33 – 7 On the stroke of halftime, Junaid MALIK made a good break and made 40 metres before passing outside to the supporting Charlie LOMAS who scored under the posts. Conversion by Mick GLEESON was successful. 40 – 7 at half time. Guy ASTIN was replaced by Stuart ABERDEEN who went on the wing with Charlie LOMAS moving to centre. Heath started the second half strongly. Scrum half, Dom WALSH charged down a kick just outside the home ‘22’. He picked up the ball and passed back inside to Mick GLEESON who made ground before passing outside to Junaid Malik who scored midway between the posts and touchline. The conversion was missed. 45 – 7 Shortly afterwards, Heath kicked deep and the Cleck full back did a good sidestep before then being caught. He threw the ball back towards his own try line and Charlie LOMAS hacked the ball over the try line but he was just unable to make contact with the ball before it went dead. Michael DODD replaced Danny HOLT on the wing and Steve RICHARDSON replaced Roger HAMMOND at prop. However, it was not long before Heath scored once more. Charlie LOMAS made a break and passed inside to Dom WALSH who scored a try converted by Mick GLEESON. 52 – 7 After 52 minutes, Mick GLEESON made another break and passed the ball to Michael DODD who scored a try in the corner. The try was well converted by Mick GLEESON. 59 – 7. After 59 minutes, flanker Kofi BROBBEY got the ball in his own ‘22’ and ran strongly. With the full back to beat, he was tackled but managed to offload to Charlie LOMAS who scored a try under the posts which he converted himself. 66 – 7 After 65 minutes, Cleck were rewarded for their efforts throughout the game with a try scored by their second row forward. The conversion was missed. 66 – 12 After 70 minutes, Mick GLEESON made a break just outside the Cleck ‘22’ and found number 8, Emlyn JAMES who scored a try. The conversion was missed by Mick GLEESON. Referee Nigel DICKINSON then blew his whistle to bring the game to an end. Final score: Heath 71 v 12 Cleckheaton. This was a good run out for the Heath boys in preparation for the league game next Saturday at home v Huddersfield 3rds who currently lead the league. A big thank you to the Cleckheaton lads who travelled over for a game. This was appreciated by the Heath boys. Man of the match awards go to Danny HOLT in the backs for his strong running throughout and Duncan EDWARDS in the forwards who ran strongly with the ball in hand and also was responsible for a number of turnover balls.