North One East side Cleckheaton are feeling the benefits of a grow-your-own policy.

The Moorenders, playing at this level for the first time in a decade after relegation, are third in the table going into Saturday’s match at next-to- bottom Driffield, and have a sense of unity that has not been experienced for a while.

Cleckheaton are also through to the semi-finals of the Centurion Yorkshire Cup but their best league performance, in a season that has brought eight wins and a draw in in 12 games, was the bonus-point victory at leaders Percy Park.

And these victories have been achieved with long-term injuries to captain Paul Turner and the rapidly-improving James Wilson, who both hope to be back early in the new year.

Confidence is therefore high for the second half of the season, especially with the try- scoring prowess of Ross Hayden, the dogged determination and general leadership of Richard Piper and the ball-winning skills of new lock Dave Freeman, plus the overall improvement in discipline.

However, the team of the season at Moorend are the Kestrels (seconds), who have won ten out of 12.