CLECKHEATON 34 DURHAM CITY 13

Yet it could have been so different as City controlled much of the game. After a slow start by the visitors which saw them trail 10 - 0 after 9 minutes, Cleckheaton stand-off Iain Gordon having kicked a second minute penalty and converted a try by hooker Steve Worsley from a catch and driven 5 metre lineout, they got into the game controlling the lineouts and playing all the rugby for he next half-hour.

A penalty by scrum-half Lewis Groves got them on he scoreboard after 19 minutes and, when winger Adam Morton forced his way over for a try 8 minutes later after concerted attacks and a burst by lock Peter Dent, Groves converted to level the score at 10 - 10 and it looked as though they would go on to better things.

But resolute defence kept them at bay and then on the stroke of half-time came the Cleckheaton counter-punch, winger Ross Hayden breaking clear down the touchline from 40 metres out and scrum-half Ollie Depledge taking an inside pass to score a disputed try which Gordon converted for a 17 - 10 lead.

Groves second penalty after 54 minutes got City back to touching distance at 17 - 13, but then, in an 8 minute period, a 3 try blitz by Cleckheaton took the game right away from the visitors.

First, from broken play, Hayden broke 50 metres down the left touchline and when tackled, Cleckheaton moved the ball across field for winger Martin Woodhead to score a well-constructed try in the opposite corner, then full-back Jonathon Marshall injected pace into an attack which ended with lock Grant Turton being driven over, and finally a fine cross-kick allowed Woodhead to catch and fall over the line in the corner for his second and his side’s fifth try. Gordon converted one of them to take the lead to 34 - 13,and with the home defence rock-solid, there was no chance of a comeback in the last quarter of an hour.

Tomorrow, City entertain Carlisle at Hollow Drift in another North I East League match (KO. 2.15pm)

CITY: Paul Armstrong; Adam Morton, Will Kirtley, Richard Knowles, Chris Metcalfe; Arnie Stevenson, Lewis Groves; Kenny Reader, Mike Hay, Josh Brown, Peter Dent, Kevin Showler (capt.), Grant Thompson, Jeff Roberts, Howard Johnson.

Replacements: Matt Young, Alex Whitfield, Peter Van Loo.