Cleckheaton 22, Billingham 26

Despite outscoring the SSE North One East leaders by four tries to two, Cleckheaton had to settle for two bonus points in a keenly-contested encounter on a heavy Moorend pitch yesterday.

Billingham were first on the scoreboard with a try from full back Peter Evans, which he duly converted.

Cleckheaton hit back and had the chance to reduce the arrears in the tenth minute but Iain Gordon’s penalty was just short.

Evans extended the visitors' lead with a penalty but, on the half-hour mark, Ross Hayden dived over in the corner for a good try for Cleckheaton after enterprising work from Jonno Marshall. Gordon was again short with the conversion attempt.

Evans once again extended Billingham’s lead with a penalty, and at the break it was all to play for.

The home side came out with intent after the break, and in the 46th minute a clean catch in the line-out by Joe Gioti was mauled to the line by the organised home pack, with Richard Piper being awarded the try, which was converted by Gordon.

The one-point difference between the sides intensified the pressure but Cleckheaton’s cause was not helped when Richard Piper was controversially yellow carded for an alleged high tackle in the 50th minute.

Evans extended Billingham’s lead with two penalties but Piper scored his second try on his return from the sin bin to increase the leaders' anxiety.

The visitors' player-coach Chris Hyndman managed to wriggle through a crowd of players to score a try converted by Evans in the 75th minute but Cleckheaton were not finished.

The intent to score a bonus-point try at all costs was clearly evident as they spurned two kickable penalty awards to run the ball.

Following several phases of play, Hayden was given the opportunity to go over for the much-coveted fourth try and just reward for the home side’s enterprise.