Cleckheaton 34, Pontefract 24

With other big-name players in the side such as Graham Steadman and Phil Veivers, skipper John Bentley is getting used to finding that Cleckheaton are targets.

Pontefract, visiting for the second time in three weeks, showed again that they are no respecters off reputations.

"They are an honest side,and weren't afraid to have a go," said Bentley.

"If you look at the history of results between the clubs they have always been close, such as when we played them last season.

"But we are finding that - with no disrespect to Pontefract - that clubs that play us are raising their games because of who we have in our side."

Pontefract, playing towards the clubhouse first, led 16-10 at half- time in this second round NPI Cup tie, and were 19-18 in front after 63 minutes.

And it took some spirited back play, some organised pack moves and the excellent place-kicking of Alex Green to stop them going through.

"We are progressing," admitted Bentley, who has seen his side play in fits and starts for much of the first month.

"In the second half of the match we performed much better than in the first. Pontefract played the percentages well in that opening 40 minutes."

But Cleckheaton once again showed the happy knack of hitting a team just after they have scored.

"Sides are perhaps indulging in a bit of back-slapping and maybe their minds aren't as quite on the job as they should be, so scoring quickly is something we have tried to do.

"And we have targeted this from an attacking and a defensive point of view. If we have just scored we shut up shop."

Defence is very important to Bentley. "Last season I said that the side that conceded least points in our division would win it.

"I was wrong, but I feel that will happen this season. I know this was a cup tie, but I was annoyed that we conceded two tries here - one to a well-worked move and one to a missed one-on-one tackle."

As for former Northern player Green, bentley said; "Graham Steadman and Alec had a discussion at the start of the season to see who would do the kicking, and Graham said 'If Alec is happy doing it then I am happy to let him'."

Points for Cleckheaton came from tries by left winger Jason Tozer and scrum half Gary Smith after fine moves and flanker Rick Hunter after a forward drive, the deadly Green landing five penalties and two conversions.

Pontefract replied with tries by leggy scrum half Richard Fletcher and full back Ben Carr, plus four penalties and a conversion by talented 19-year-old fly half Glen Boyd.

Cleckheaton are also top of Yorkshire Division One, as well as being in the third round of the NPI Cup, but Bentley is wary of Old Brodleians, who visit Moorend in the league next Saturday.

"We want two good training sessions this week to prepare for that. Old Brodleians are derby opponents and it will be very hard."

Also they could be without Steadman, who went off with a hamstring injury in the second half.