- vs
Report by Neil Gillan
Share
Cleckheaton put in a determined performance at Harrogate but in the end lost out to the Gate's first team backs.
The Kestrel's ended the season with a creditable performance away at Harrogate and despite losing the match, can be proud of the way they played and of their attitude throughout the game.
Cleck took the field with a side featuring many players having to play out of position. A reasonably experienced pack of Andy Piper, Ed Chapellow, Mark Chivers, Nathan Clayton, Carl Mason, Joe South, Richard Piper and Joe Gioti, were supported by a back line featuring 3 players who normally play flanker. Robin Bennett, James Wilson, Mark Sargeant, Ollie Thompson, Ian Thynne, Mikey Batty and Ross Hayden.
The mood in the dressing room before the game was one of damage limitation, as it was clear Harrogate were fielding a strong side. This tinge of self-doubt saw Cleck giving Harrogate too much respect in the opening exchanges and allowed Gate to camp in Cleck's 22 for the first 10 minutes. However, great defence including 2 attacks being held up over the line, kept Harrogate scoreless. In the face of this effort, Harrogate opted to kick for goal when next awarded a penalty and took a 3 - 0 lead.
As the penalty attempt was being lined up, Cleck had the usual moments of re-evaluation behind the sticks and came to the rapid conclusion that the opposition were by no means insurmountable. From the re-start Cleck played with a renewed sense of vigour and took the game to Harrogate at every opportunity. Cleck piled on the pressure in Harrogate's 22 and after a couple of periods of good ball retention in the Gates' danger zone, Mark Chivers smashed his way over for a try. Ross Hayden added the extras and the Kestrel's took a deserved 7 - 3 lead.
Harrogate now knew they were in a game and in the last 15 minutes of the half both teams mounted decent attacks but defensive lines held firm on both sides and the score remained unchanged at the interval.
The Kestrel's display clearly had Harrogate worried at the break and they opted to bring on a couple of their first team speed merchants for the second half. This injection of pace proved the difference in the end, as not long after the re-start the replacement fullback cut a nice line and out-gassed Cleck's defence for a try to the right of the sticks. The conversion put Harrogate into a 10 -7 lead. From the kick-off possession was exchanged a couple of times between the teams before Cleck kicked deep down field to the same Harrogate fullback. He jinked his way through Cleck's chasing defence and then shot down the touch line for a second try. The conversion was added and a penalty also followed quite quickly afterwards putting Gate into a 20 - 7 lead.
Ollie Thompson had to leave the field at this point with a popped thumb and a quick reshuffle saw Joe South go into the centre and Neil Gillan come on at No.8. With Harrogate now thinking the game was theirs they relaxed on a scrum just inside there own 22 and good work from Cleck's front row stole the ball from their put in. Neil Gillan picked up at the back, sold a dummy to Gate's embarrassed young stand-off and trotted in under the sticks. Hayden added the conversion and with Harrogate's lead cut to 20-14 Cleck had about 12 minutes to get another try and win the game.
The win was not to be forthcoming unfortunately as with 5 minutes to go Harrogate's other replacement centre danced through the Kestrel's tiring defence for a clinching try. The conversion re-bounded off the posts but at 25-14 the game was now more or less in the bag. Cleck however did not lie down at this point and were determined to have the last say in the game. Good work right across the park put the Kestrel's within yards of Harrogate's line and one final effort saw Carl Mason get over only for the ref to rightly adjudge that he was held up. With this last call the Referee blew the whistle to end the game.
There were many things for the players to be proud of in this performance, to a man everyone put in the effort and came off the field tireder than in many a recent match. Special thanks go to Robin Bennett, James Wilson, Ollie Thompson, Ian Thynne and Mark Sargeant who either played out of position or were called up late and all played well.
<< All Match Reports
Primary