Carlisle 31, Cleckheaton 22

Cleckheaton failed to strengthen their hold on third place against their relegation-threatened Cumbrian hosts.

Within five minutes, Lee Brumpton crossed when Cleck were caught napping at a penalty ten metres out and the No 8 tapped to himself and dived over. The visitors hit back when a line-out was caught by Matt Beasty and passed on to Ryan Piercy, who set up an excellent rolling maul from which Cleck’s man of the match Richard Piper muscled his way over.

Carlisle were assisted by an increasing error count from the Yorkshiremen, giving rise to two tries in quick succession either side of the half-hour mark from captain Mark Barron and winger Martin Brodie. Max Connon added one of the conversions to give a half-time score of 19-5.

Cleckheaton upped their game after the break as tremendous forward pressure and excellent ball retention led to Piper going over for his second try within five minutes. But Carlisle ran in two further tries, one of which was improved to take the score to 31-10.

Cleckheaton did not capitulate as Ryan Piercy went in for a try in the corner, which Johnno Marshall converted from the touchline.

Ed Chappellow ferreted his way over to earn Cleck a bonus point for their fourth touchdown. The conversion would have another bonus but it edged wide.

Cleck remain third but Old Brodleians and Wheatley Hills – who have a game in hand – could overtake them.