Our old friends Cleckheaton were welcomed to Clifton Park along with our supporters for our first home game of the season. The game was preceded by our first luncheon of the season and everyone looked forward to a fixture that is often a close encounter.

York started briskly, moving the ball from edge to edge, the handling skills are impressive and York are occupying the 22 of Cleckheaton who find themselves having to defend furiously. The penalty account against Cleckheaton mounts and eventually the pressure tells, and they collapse a maul on the line. The referee has had enough and a penalty try is awarded, Matthew Beasty receives a yellow card, and York move 7 points ahead. What a good start to the game for the home side. The line outs improved this week, and York are getting a stream of good quality possession from the set pieces, the scrum is again very dominant. Then Cleckheaton steady the ship and a powerful carry by Richard Piper makes many metres. He seems to have been around for years putting dents in defences. The ball arrives in the hands of Dale Breakwell who finds a handy touch in the corner. York lose the line out, the opponents set a midfield ruck and Breakwell lands a 30m field drop goal, he has a sweet right boot. York 7. Cleckheaton 3.

From the restart we see a very patient referee. There are penalties galore awarded to both teams…this is a scrappy period, and the official now speaks very firmly to both Captains. The errors are put to one side by a lovely touchline run from Joe Simpson covering 30m to find his Skipper Archie on his inside shoulder to give him a clear 10m run in, the conversion is missed. York 12. Cleckheaton 3. The yellow carded player returns and Dale Breakwell’s kicking keeps Cleckheaton in the game, giving his team good field position. York now having to defend their line, good defensive sets, and brave tackling from all, keeps their line intact. Eventually the pressure tells, Cleckheaton are awarded a penalty for not releasing, in front of the posts 35 metres out, their no10 converts. York 12. Cleckheaton 6.

York are awarded a penalty for a high tackle in front of the posts, opting for a scrum, which is now so dominant. Toby Atkin from another penalty takes a quick tap, he is held up over the line, yet another penalty and yet another scrum and another penalty. Harry Shackleton has had enough and takes the three points on offer. York 15. Cleckheaton 6. From the kick off, the ball bobbles about, Will Fordy pounces upon this chance, he races 55m to score unopposed under the posts, showing no signs of that ligament injury that plagued him in preseason. Harry Shackleton adds the two points. York 22. Cleckheaton 6.

Cleckheaton’s discipline lets them down again, as their no 9 is yellow carded for speaking back to the referee. York take full advantage of the tiring 14 opponents. Harry Shackleton is now putting in some huge punts forcing the opposition into conceding field position, and this brings a return punt from Cleckheaton to fall short and into the arms of the elusive fullback, Zac Burlingham, who with ball in hand, runs 60m laterally from left to right, beating the cover to score in the right corner, the conversion from the touchline lands on the crossbar and bounces over. Half time York 29 Cleckheaton 6.

York ringing the changes sees Shane Goulding to no 8, Henry du Boulay to no 6, Archie Fothergill to 2nd row, Kyle Consterdine into the front row. The momentum continues as does the pressure. York are now controlling the game. Early in the second half a blindside run is created; Harry Shackleton draws his man and finds Zac Burlingham who slips the ball inside for Will Fordy who scores neatly in the corner and Harry Shackleton takes the conversion. York 36. Cleckheaton 6. York go for a turn over chance but are penalised in the process, Cleckheaton decide to go for the corner and from the line out 5m out Naill Jackson goes over, Dale Breakwell adds the extras. York 36. Cleckheaton 13.

Toby Atkin showing why he is the best scrum half in the league, takes a knock where the sun does not shine, could this ruin his Saturday evening? Another enormous scrum sees the opponents collapse, the reset brings another penalty and a 3rd yellow card for Cleckheaton, Archie Rika-Raine goes. From the penalty another scrum is set, Shane Goulding skilfully flips the ball up for Toby Atkin to score under the posts. York 43. Cleckheaton 13. Archie Fothergill has again put in a massive shift but he goes down with cramp, to be replaced, coming off to a standing ovation. Charlie Rae back in the first team then completes a training ground move, Toby Atkin loops Will Fordy then finding Charlie on his shoulder who scores in the corner and the reliable boot of Harry Shackleton converting. Final score: York 50. Cleckheaton 13.

Although well beaten Cleckheaton put together a final rally to put York under pressure, all credit to our opponents. They could have gone to uncontested scrums but instead put together a makeshift front row, they never gave up, but their discipline during the match cost them dearly, three yellow cards and a large penalty count against them proved too much. York gain the full 5 points, remain unbeaten and remain second in the league behind the only other team without a defeat so far, Scunthorpe. Next week away to Huddersfield, relegated last year and looking to move back up – but have found themselves towards the bottom of the league after two defeats in their opening games.