Cobwebs blown away but Cleckheaton more obdurate

Unfortunately a pair of backs were immediately sacrificed to the numerically challenged second team and the bench was reduced to a Little and Large combo of Billy and Gabes. Cleck lined up with a combination of youth and experience and 2013 rugby was ushered in by debut referee Lovejoy, yes really!
Cadgy had issued the game plan instructions but a mixture of giddiness and rustiness coughed up too much early possession with secure ball sacrificed too often. Eventually a calmness descended, possibly unrelated to the departure of Tim “the volley” Leslie for a rest. The pack won good ball and worked up field in either maul or pop and drive style. The visitors defence was strong and there was still some wastage at the breakdown as the lethargic Leo’s took longer to get into the swing of things. Refjoy kept the game flowing and a lid on the chelping and eventually the superior territorial work of the pack was rewarded with a try from Bishop Barnett. Further pressure from the pack and hard running from the back line went unrewarded. Cleck rallied and only good scrambling defence from Si Burton and Phil The Power kept them out before the pack pushed them back into their 22 with some catch and drives off the excellent Gareth line-outs and space was made for Student Si to score and Scotty to add the extras.
A 12-0 lead at the break was about right for the level of performance and the stubbornness of the opposition but Leo’s needed to find more cohesion and application or risk letting the visitors back into the game. Billy and Megabus joined the fray with varying degrees of impact. Leo’s back row of Student Si CJ+ and Tom W were working hard while the backs found it hard to break tackles as Cleck’s defence remained strong. The Megabus boot pressed Leo’s forward and eventually pressure told for James B to slice through and Tim to add the two points. Cleck would not be subdued and came back at Leo’s. 14 phases were repelled, according to prozone, before the pressure told and the visitors scored a well taken and well deserved try out wide. Looking to finish on a high Leo’s cut loose and Billy was sent through only to flip his inside pass into the face of the covering defence. Another break saw Phil the Power well, power through the defence and pop to the rampaging Scotty whose own attempt at a popping out of the tackle to the supporting Si B saw him throw the ball into his own face! Eventually Billy, powered by the half time Ferrero Rochers burst down the wing, stepped inside, leaving defenders floundering, to score the try of the game, and one of Billy’s best. Scotty popped over the conversion and Refjoy soon brought a very entertaining, sporting and well refereed game to an end.
After the game he referees assessment panel placed Refjoy’s performance comfortably in the second quartile of club referees but the second widest after Weeny Ref.