York maintained momentum in their push to escape the relegation battle in Regional North East 1, overcoming a robust Cleckheaton side 37 points to 11, securing five valuable points in the process.

The spring like weather was a welcome prospect after the wet winter, providing perfect conditions for flowing rugby. Player availability meant a degree of reshuffling in the York side, but York’s selection provided strength up front and an exciting prospect in the back line with Fordy and Atkinson providing pace and presence in the centre hoping to release the pace of Quinn and Peplinski on the wings. The scene set, the crowd eagerly awaited the battle to commence. And a battle it proved to be with only 3 points separating the two sides at half time, York’s power eventually told, running out winners by five tries to one.

Playing towards the Kit Kat End, York signalled their attacking intent from the opening whistle. Slick handling from Fordy under intense pressure from his opponent released Shackleton on the halfway line, whose perfectly weighted kick sent Peplinski in pursuit. Cleckheaton desperately scrambled their defence denying Peplinski on the line. Cleckheaton quickly responded by capitalising on their first visit to the York 22, earning a penalty to edge into an early 3–0 lead.

York quickly settled, with Fordy again at the heart of the action, slicing through the midfield before feeding the ever-present Atkins on his shoulder only for a handling error to deny York a score on the line. Cleckheaton defended doggedly and exited under pressure, but York’s persistence was rewarded when Shackleton calmly slotted a penalty from 30 metres to level the scores at 3–3.

The contest became attritional as Cleckheaton’s tackling intensity disrupted York’s rhythm. Despite York looking dangerous whenever the ball reached the backs, a combination of bone shaking tackling, unforced errors and missed overlaps kept points hard to come by. Westaby was denied in the corner after a sustained spell of pressure, and Cleckheaton again punished York indiscipline with a well-struck penalty to retake the lead at 6–3.
York’s pack responded, winning a crucial scrum penalty to relieve pressure and restore territory. However, further chances went begging before the interval as Cleckheaton continued to scramble effectively, leaving York frustrated at the break and trailing by three points.

The second half began with renewed purpose. Shackleton sparked the revival with a sharp break that carried York deep into Cleckheaton territory. From there, York built patiently, and Hardie crashed over under heavy contact to score the opening try of the match. Though he bravely held on to ground the ball, Hardie was forced off following a knock to the head. York took the lead 8–6.

Cleckheaton were soon on the back foot as York increased the tempo. A penalty for offside allowed Shack to kick York into the 22, and from the resulting pressure, repeated short carries drew defenders in before Westaby powered over to extend the lead to 15–6, Shackleton adding the extras.

York now had their tails up. Their lineout functioning better than we have seen all season and a dominant scrum provided a platform for the strong running centres and back row to play off. Direct lines of running from Fordy, Atkinson and Shackleton together with Enslin put York on the front foot and tested the Cleckheaton tackling. Strong breakdown work from Croft won crucial turnover ball, and Cleckheaton were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card for a high tackle. Fordy produced a superb individual break, shrugging off three would‑be tacklers to create an attacking position centre field. Quick phase ball maintained the momentum and Enslin finished clinically to make it 20–6.

Cleckheaton briefly rallied, driving over from a lineout maul to reduce the deficit to 20–11, but York remained composed. Scholey’s jackalling earned another penalty, which Shackleton converted to restore a comfortable margin at 23–11.

Then came the decisive intervention from Croft. Rising above the Cleckheaton chasers to claim the restart, he secured possession cleanly in midfield and gave York a stable platform. Two phases later, Shackleton spotted space and drove a measured kick down the right. Croft reacted quickest, outpacing the cover defence to the bouncing ball and nudging it ahead. First to the ball, he kept his head and regathered cleanly just short of the line. With the defence scrambling, York recycled at pace and Shackleton was on hand to finish the move, touching down under the posts.

Dominant at the breakdown and relentless in defence, York suffocated Cleckheaton. Even the sharp drop in temperature and rain couldn't cool the heat being applied by York. The pressure finally told when Cleckheaton prevented Atkin from running on to ball in the dead ball area, conceding a penalty try that sealed a commanding 37–11 victory.

A dominant second‑half display underlined York’s growing confidence and physical edge, with five tries showcasing both power and attacking ambition. With momentum building and five vital points secured, York’s fight to climb clear of danger looks increasingly convincing however, they have a tough run in to the end of the season with four of the top five teams to play.

York: Shackleton, Quinn, Atkinson, Fordy, Peplinski, Metcalf, Atkin, Westaby, Cavanagh, Scholey, McGrath, Croft, Du Bouley, Hardie, Enslin. Rep: Consterdine, Holmes, Morris.

Cleckheaton: Bambani, Robinson, Hainsworth, Pearson, Marshall, Breakwell D, Egan, Piper, Rika-Rayne, Sowden, Greenald, Hawksworth, Kamano, Shepherd, Vernon. Rep: Dixon, Flanagan, Breakwell T.