Cleckheaton 17 Rossendale 19
With just three 'catch up' games in National Three North second place Rossendale took full advantage to open up a four point gap over third place Wirral but it took a try in the final minutes from Ryan McKibbin to turn round a 17-14 deficit to beat Cleckh
Cleckheaton got the best possible start with a try from Josh Hall on the back of some solid driving play by the pack and a neat switch of play through the centre for 5-0 at the interval.
Rossendale levelled matters early in the second half, a break by Duncan Tout sending the supporting Jack Ward over , James Bramhall's conversion affording a 5-7 lead.
Cleck hit back and through good hands from a line out Oliver Depladge went over in the corner to restore his side's advantage.
A great solo effort by Curtiss Strong who cut through after a fielding a poor kick out of defence put Rossendale in the lead for a second time, Bramhall again on hand with the extras.
In what was proving a sterling encounter Richard Piper powered over from the back of a ruck to edge Cleckheaton in front yet again, Ronan Evans adding the conversion.
But with two minutes remaining a drive over the line from a five metre scrum with McKibbin claiming the honours secured the points.
Even then 'Cleck had a chance to reverse the result but the penalty attempted from 40 m out drifted wide.
Geoff Lightfoot
Subnote: The Cleckheaton website is using Pitchero Play and have captured all the scores on their Match Centre here
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