York ‘breezed’ to another bonus point win overcoming the elements and a combative Cleckheaton side at Moorend by 17 points to 34 to maintain the pressure on league leaders Scunthorpe. York were forced to shuffle their deck again for the tricky visit to Cleckheaton who were keen to extend their winning streak. Burlingham and Rae filling the wing positions with Jackson starting at tight head and Croft coming into the back row in the continued absence of ‘Breakaway’ Simpson who is under concussion protocols.

The blue sky and gleaming sunshine were undermined by the strong cold wind blowing down the pitch and to the left-hand side. Creeping into every crevice, the cold set early in the bones of the faithful supporters, hot toddies and mince pies essential sustenance – if only I had bought some at the entrance. For the players, it was to dominate the proceedings and the tactics, the question being who could use it most profitably?

York played against the wind in the first half and had the better of the early forward exchanges. A dominant scrum and strong carrying from the usual culprits Jackson, Russell and Stockton with a handful of Du Boulay thrown in for good measure overcame the disadvantage of the elements enabling York to establish positions in the Cleckheaton half. In these conditions, protecting the ball was critical to maintain pressure, however York was not always quick enough to support the tackled player allowing Frear in to frustrate the York side with his jackalling. Early unforced errors by York and Mr Walker’s policing of the tackle enabled Cleckheaton to relieve the pressure and sustain territory in the York half, Breakwell using the wind to kick to the corner.

Cleckheaton opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a penalty goal. This was soon followed with a drop goal, both by Breakwell, to give Cleckheaton a 6 – 0 lead. York’s decision making on occasions created more pressure for themselves. A lineout on the Cleckheaton ten-metre line was called to the back. The wind making this a challenging throw, Cleckheaton chose the scrum from the not straight decision. Good positional play by Breakwell saw the game transfer to the York 5 metre line and following a couple of phases, Cleckheaton scored the first try of the game as their forwards drove over the line wide on the left. Breakwell couldn’t convert, Cleckheaton 11, York 0.

York hit back with a superb try by Du Boulay. A nice line against the grain by Fordy set up an attacking position on the Cleckheaton 22m line. Quick recycling and clean hands found Du Boulay running a hard straight line in the centre channel with enough pace to see him over the line to the left of the posts. Shackleton quickly dispatched the conversion to bring the game back to 11-7 in favour of Cleckheaton.

York’s tails were up but the momentum was soon to be reversed when Russell was harshly judged to have failed to release the ball in the tackle despite the fact he wasn’t held by the tackler. Breakwell slotted the penalty to extend the Cleckheaton Lead 14 – 7. York’s riposte was swift. My man of the match “Cool Hand George” Davies (an ever-reliable calm head under pressure) collected the field kick in his own half before energising what seems like his force field that prevents people tackling him. Cutting through the defence with his deceptive pace, he made good ground into the Cleckheaton half before putting Atkin away, supporting on his left shoulder, to cross to the right of the posts. Shackleton converted to tie the game 14-14.

York were soon on the hunt again when Fothergill charged down a clearance kick by Cleckheaton. He had enough pace to put himself in position to score another try but ultimately not the touch as he tried to control the ball over the line with his foot, the ball going dead before he could get to it. Cleckheaton closed the scoring and the half with a second drop goal by Breakwell, half time score 17-14 to Cleckheaton.

York started the second half with a three-point deficit, two tries in the bag and the scent of a win bonus carried on the wind now behind their backs. Despite being able to dominate the territory however, they were unable to convert their pressure to points for some period of time. Cleckheaton managed to hold on to possession, aided by York’s unforced errors. Their straight hard running and flat passing into the wind did not however enable them to attain an attacking position, and so the game dropped into a grinding hard fought encounter in the Cleckheaton half for the third quarter. Hot toddies and mince pies very much on the spectator’s minds now.

This pattern was broken when Rae, cutting a sharp line at pace, left to right, looked certain to score. The whistle blew before he got to the line but the referee clearly thought he would have scored as he awarded a penalty try and dispatched Hayward to the sin bin for ten minutes, York taking the lead 17-21. The reduction in men didn't seem to affect Cleckheaton's style of play however only eight minutes later they were further reduced as another of their team joined Hayward in the sin bin.

The York pressure was finally taking its toll. A desperate clearance kick down the middle of the field looked tricky for Davies to field as it was falling short in the strong wind. Davies’ deceptive pace kicked in again to enable him to cover the ground between him and the ball in time to catch it in the face of competition for the ball from the kicker Arms outstretched and seemingly overbalanced, Davies, maintained his feet and calmly offloaded to Fordy who carried up field to enable Shackleton to put York into the Cleckheaton 22m area for a lineout. Croft pressured the Cleckheaton throw, York recovered the ball and Jackson crashed over to rack up the fourth try and the potential bonus point. Cleckheaton 17, York 28. Despite an energetic Cleckheaton side throwing themselves into attack, York held them in Cleckheaton’s half and sealed the game with two further penalties by Shackleton. Final score Cleckheaton 17, York 34.

Another five points for York maintains the pressure on league leaders Scunthorpe and sets up a mouthwatering series of games in January with Heath and Huddersfield to visit Clifton Park where York are unbeaten this season. Reversing the results in the first half of the campaign against both these sides is well within York’s capability and could tee up a gargantuan clash with Scunthorpe in March. In the meantime, the players have a well-earned rest. Merry Christmas, and hope to see you in what promises to be an exciting new year.

York: Davies, Burlingham, Fordy, Forbes, Rae, Shackleton, Atkin, Westaby, Mills, Jackson, Stockton, Russell, Croft, Fothergill, Du Boulay. Rep: Consterdine, Goulding, White.

Cleckheaton: Brambani, Marshall, Hainsworth, Hayward, Oldroyd, Breakwell, Egan, Jackson, Piper R (C), Piper A, Plunkett, Frear, Marsden, Flanagan, Pearson. Replacements: Turner, Wilson, Seddon.

Referee: Mr Josh Walker