Cleckheaton 21 Morley 28
Cleckheaton might not have been happy with their defensive effort in allowing Morley flanker Craig Field to cross for the match-winning try in the 62nd minute.
But they must have been pleased with many other aspects of their play as they picked up a bonus point in a derby played in glorious sunshine at Moorend.
Leggy back-rower Field received the ball just inside the home half and, despite twice looking to have run into a cul-de-sac, still managed to plant the ball over the whitewash as the hosts either tackled too high or without sufficient determination against a rugged opponent who changed pace well Cleckheaton full back Ryan Duckett, one of those beaten by Field's clever run, admitted: "That was a bit of a turning point and gave them a boost.
"The win at Darlington in our first match was a great start - any away win is so important - and we just hoped that we could take things on against Morley.
"We have a great team spirit, we all work hard for each other and we played right until the end of the game.
"But we need to be a bit more clinical and, in that respect, it was similar to our performance at Darlington."
Duckett, always a threat with ball in hand, then confessed that his legs had gone by the end of the match, explaining: "I have had food poisoning and was bereft of energy."
Field said: "I was a little bit surprised that I got over the line from my break but we expected a tough game at Cleckheaton - it is always hard here. They had a great second 20 minutes in the first half and we showed some character."
Cleckheaton fly half Chris Quinn missed a second-minute penalty but slotted one four minutes later.
However, sustained Morley pressure, albeit at a slower pace than was ideal, led to former Cleckheaton player Craig Rika going over on the left after eight minutes.
A second Quinn penalty restored Cleck-heaton's advantage two minutes later and he then swapped penalties with another former Moorender Glenn Boyd, leaving the hosts 9-8 in front after 17 minutes.
Boyd was hauled back by his shirt collar to prevent a Morley try after 32 minutes but the home side finished the half on top.
In stoppage time, hooker Steve Worsley was driven over to give the Moorenders a 14-8 interval lead.
Rika's second try in the 43rd minute cut that to a point but four minutes later Cleckheaton flanker Geoff Jones scored after more good combination between Duckett and South.
Quinn added a fine conversion to make it 21-13 but 11 minutes later the Maroons levelled matters, right winger Kris Whata going over in the 55th minute and Boyd landing a well-struck penalty.
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