Cleck target derby double

Cleckheaton have already registered three notable derby wins this season and will be looking to maintain their impressive record against West Yorkshire rivals.

The Moorenders edged a 14-12 win at Crocs in September, while they defeated high flying Morley 30-14 in what was arguably their best performance of the season on October 20.

Cleck registered a third derby triumph on Boxing Day when they retained the Fred Scott Trophy thanks to a 17-7 win in the traditional festive clash at Old Brodleians.

Scrum-half Jack Bickerdike led the Moorenders to success at Brods as he capped a man-of-the-match display with a try.

Matt Piper and Ross Hayden were Cleckheaton’s other try scorers as they used the game to give the first team a run out over the Christmas break.

Although Morley and Brods are regarded as Cleckheaton’s biggest rivals, coach Dave Harrison always likes to put one over the Crocs and he will certainly targeting a derby double against the men from Halifax.

Just four points separate the sides in the league standings and victory could see the Moorenders climb into the top five.

January promises to be a tough month for Cleck as they also face away games at Morpeth and Malton & Norton, with a home clash with Pocklington sandwiched between, but if they can go on a winning run it would really put pressure on the sides above them.

Cleckheaton Selected sides

1st XV v Old Crossleyans, kick off 2.15pm, meet 12.45pm: Jonathon Marshall, R Hayden, O Marns, M Piper, M Woodhead, I Gordon, J Bickerdike, P Turner, B Thrower, B Piper, R Piercy, D Nolan, R Piper, R Bennett, O Akroyd. Replacements: J Wilson, S Worsley, N Salama.

Kestrels at Barnsley, kick off 2.15pm, meet noon: T Brooke, P Horrigan, James Marshall, T Crewe, C Blackburn, J Toulson, M Fletcher, B Piper, R Motlib, L Haigh, M Beasty, C Mason, J White, J Seddon, N Clayton. Replacements: D Graham, N Holland, G Lamb, L Bashforth.

3rd XV v Yarnbury 2nd XV, kick off 2.15pm, meet 1.30pm: G Speight, H Bairstow, A Stanley, S Smith, A McCarthy, J Duggan, L Beasty, A Lowe, A Porritt, M Hadfield, M Womersley, L Ashley, J Close, C Brannan, M Wood. Replecements: J Summers, R Simpson, C Davis, C Wilson, A Edwards.

4th XV at Old Leodensians 3rd XV, kick off 2.15pm, meet 12.45pm: B Womersley, A Brown, N Lazenby, M Nicholson, A Ellis, J Perks, R Noble, M Blakeley, D McGuigan, D Howe, J Womersley, I Webb, R Brown, C Aspinall, D Webb. Replacements: A Tilby-Baxter, A Bailey, B Thornton, A Clough.