Spring sunshine and a playable surface welcomed Cleckheaton to Marl Pits on Saturday for this crucial end of season clash. Dale needed 1 league point from the encounter to assure their standing at this level next season. Cleckheaton had much more to play for, needing at least a win to keep mathematical hopes of avoiding the drop alive and on the back of a strong win last week vs Birkenhead Park(the only side to win there so far this season!)presented with a stern task.

As usual, it seems, the early ascendancy went Rossendales way. Long periods of pressure, carefully built with patient rugby, saw the visitors under the cosh for the opening quarter. But, again, Dale could not turn their pressure into points until the 22min. A lineout outside the Cleckheaton 22 saw Rossendale catch and drive fully 15m and deliver quality ball to Albinson. He attacked the retreating Cleckheaton threequarter line with pace, penetrated and fed Appleton for the opening score. 5-0

Captain Bramhall adding the extras to give the lead. 7-0

This score inspired the visitors and they restarted with zeal renewed, their survival slipping away... But Dale held their offensive time and again with well organised, measured defence but could not reapply the pressure of the opening encounters. And were reduced to 14 as Healey was sinbinned for 'not releasing' in the tackle. Dale however 'manned up' and kept Cleck out to finish the half 7-0.

HT 7-0

The second period started in much the same vein as the first finished, with the visitors throwing their all at Dale and not quite managing to break through. Rossendale however could not get the quality of ball they required to attack with any width or efficacy.

The next score however came from Cleckheaton. They were awarded a penalty 15m out and elected to run it quickly. The ball was moved wide and their winger touched down in the corner. 7-5

Conversion failed. 7-5

As in the first half, this sparked a bit of something in the home side and they began to grind their way back into attacking positions and were rewarded with a penalty which Bramhall gladly kicked to re-establish a clear lead. 10-5

And Dale continued to apply the pressure from the restart. Gritty forward play forcing the visitors back into their own 22, where a miscommunication between forwards and backs gave them a breather as Dale turned over the ball.

But the valley side worked their way back into the visitors territory soon after and finally Pole crashed over in the corner after 12 phases. 15-5

The width beating Bramhalls' conversion attempt 15-5

As expected, the Yorkshiremen came out for the final minuted 'guns blazing', but could only manage a penalty goal as their survival hopes melted.15-8

Final 15-8

MJB "pleased with result obviously, but again we start well and don't hammer home our advantage. Next weeks derby vs Rochdale will require a much higher return from our workrate. But outstanding displays from Albinson & Appleton - to name but 2 - saw us through. And league results see us skip past Sheffield and close the gap again on DMP with games in hand - and 2 of our remaining fixtures are against teams lower down the league, but that means very little at this level."