Darlington MP 10, Cleckheaton 10

Cleckheaton built on the previous week’s win at Hartlepool with a hard-earned draw.

Darlington took the lead with a converted try in the 12th minute and, though Cleck’s defence improved, ball retenion was a problem.

A home player was sinbinned for illegal play around the scrum but Cleck’s Pete Murhpy followed him in the 27th minute for an unlawful tackle.

The second half started with Mitch Ashworth coming on for the injured Matt Piper as the visitors started to look like they meant business.

With the forwards working as a unit, the ball was rapidly transferred to Ashworth on the wing. He made ground into the home 22, before the supporting Tom Lauriston went in at the corner to score. Darlington hit back when Geoff Jones, who was playing at his irritating best, was sinbinned and they kicked a penalty in front of the posts to make it 10-5.

Tom Clough came on for Jones in the 65th minute and made an immediate impact with a good break from halfway, only to be hauled down by the last defender.

After a storming run from Ryan Piercy, the Cleck pack rapidly recycled the ball for Lance Hamilton to run from halfway to score but Iain Gordon failed to convert.

Cleck kept up the pressure but Park held on and missed a late drop goal attempt to win it.