The winter weather has arrived and conditions were clear but cold for Cleckheaton’s visit to Clifton Park. Cleckheaton have had wins over Bradford & Bingley and Huddersfield YMCA so far with close losses to Scarborough and Bridlington. York’s record is good, at the top of the league with only two losses (Malton & Norton and Scarborough) and unbeaten at home this season.

Both teams reported lengthy injury lists. For York, Jon Dawes played at fly-half with George Davies at full back. Dave Rhodes joined captain, Chris Fox in the second row. Cleckheaton were captained by their centre, Matt Piper with Jack Bickerdike and Ben Dearing inside him at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.

Cleckheaton retained possession for the first five minutes of the game and their pressure was rewarded. With York on the back foot, Cleckheaton passed the ball slickly and Martin Woodhead (winger) found space to score. In blustery conditions, the conversion missed. York replied quickly. They won a scrum penalty and kicked for touch. Rob Hodges (wing) came close to scoring after the ball was distributed from the set-play but York got a second chance after Cleckheaton were penalised for being offside. This time, York kept the ball in close and drove the maul over the line. Shane Goulding (number eight) touched it down. Dawes kept the ball under the wind and kicked the conversion.
Cleckheaton got their second try after York conceded a penalty following a messy re-start. The visitors distributed the ball from the resulting line-out and Matt Piper pushed the ball over from a ruck. The conversion was good. York regained the lead to conclude a busy first twenty minutes. Cleckheaton cleared the ball but it went straight to George Davies in centre field. Davies found space and popped a short pass to Gareth Singleton (wing) on an effective supporting line. Singleton scored and Dawes kicked the conversion.

It was a tough game - both teams were committed in the forward pack and they needed to be. Cleckheaton are a settled team who have played together at this level for several years. They are neither too young nor too old. York extended their lead with a lovely try though. Emerson Bessell (outside centre) passed to Davies on another sensible running line. Davies linked with Campbell Thomson (flanker) in support, who in turn fed Singleton in centre field again to get his second try. Dawes kicked the conversion. Toby Atkin’s passing from scrum-half was crisp and his decision making was quick. The York forward pack helped him a lot by securing quick, clean ball. The handling in the back line was ambitious and accurate as evidenced by two of York’s tries. Campbell Thomson made several good tackles and as the first half finished, York were focussed and were 21-12.

Cleckheaton started the second half well. After retaining possession Jack Bickerdike (scrum-half) scored. The conversion hit the post and bounced out. With the score close, fifteen minutes passed with both teams making errors and neither side exerting dominance. Dawes kicked a penalty for York to exert some control but Cleckheaton again pressed forward. York flanker, Lewis Hannibal worked hard to disrupt an attacking maul but Cleckheaton were able to score. Jack Seddon (number eight) got over the line but with a chance to level the score the conversion was missed. York got their fourth try to make it a two score game with five minutes remaining. After a clean line-out ball was shipped to inside centre Chris Peace, he broke through the midfield of defence. Peace was downed just before the line but was able to release Shane Goulding to finish.

Gareth Singleton then broke his ankle. An ambulance was called and with Gareth receiving urgent medical attention the final five minutes of the game were played on an adjoining pitch. York scored once more to seal an important win - Atkin and Davies linked after an attacking scrum and Toby got the score. Dawes kicked the conversion to make it a 100% kicking record for him on the day.

Best wishes to Gareth from all, on a full recovery. As York's injury list grows.