CLECKHEATON got their season back on track with a bonus point 29-22 home win over Malton & Norton in North One East, despite selection issues meaning they were without a recognised second row.
The two sides traded good early chances before a fine combination by Cleckheaton's Ollie Depledge and James Wilson put Jack Marshall into space, but the winger was tackled into touch.
On 21 minutes, from a scrum deep in the Malton 22, Dale Breakwell and Matt Piper exchanged passes and created a gap for Mikey Hayward to cross spectacularly in the corner.
Malton's pack was taking a battering in the scrum but the back line looked capable of scoring. From an attacking position though, their outside half threw a long pass that was intercepted by Breakwell.
He galloped 60 metres down the field and Depledge was on hand to work it to Hayward, who eventually crossed for his 10th try of the season to give Cleckheaton a 10-0 lead.
On 35 minutes, a perfect cross field kick from Breakwell sat up for Marshall 30 metres out. He blasted past the winger to score and although Breakwell couldn't add the goal from the touchline, the lead was at 15-0.
The next score came just before half time and it was a long range effort that started deep inside the Cleckheaton half.
Depledge made a clean outside break and fed Hayward, whose return pass allowed Depledge to race under the posts for the bonus point try. Breakwell converted to make it 22-0 at half time.
On 42 minutes, Malton opened their account when an outrageous dummy allowed the supporting flanker to cross for the try.
Breakwell and Marshall then combined for the pacey winger to cross for his fifth try of the season, with the former converting.
Soon after, both sides had a man sent to the sin bin, before a smart converted try from Malton's outside half made it 29-12.
He scored again to the left of the posts but screwed the conversion wide, leaving the score at 29-17.
The final score of the game came after concerted pressure on the Cleckheaton line, with the flanker driving over from a rolling maul for Malton's bonus point try.
Cleckheaton will be happy to get back to winning ways after consecutive defeats.
Meanwhile, Malton picked up a losing bonus point in addition to the try bonus, but will be ruing letting the game slip by conceding three tries in seven minutes before the break.
All the Cleckheaton backs played well in attack but man of the match was awarded to their hard working lock Josh Plunkett.
Cleckheaton will next be in action at local rivals Bradford & Bingley on December 7, with the derby kicking off at 2:15pm.
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