Breakwell seals back to back Cleckheaton victory in thrilling finish

It was a hard fought contest, but the Moorend men emerged victorious 27-24 in their latest Regional Two North East game.

Despite their back to back win they remain second from bottom, but in a division already proving ultra competitive they are now in and among their rival teams and clearly looking upwards.

Cleckheaton were ahead from the eighth minute when Dale Breakwell sent Richard Noble over for the opening try and added the conversion.

Salem hit back with a converted try of their own to level the scores on 16 minutes, but the visitors got back on top and scored again as top try scorer Rory Woollett went over.

Breakwell was unable to convert, but was successful with a penalty goal soon after.

Further pressure in the home half led to two more penalties from Breakwell as Cleck stretched their lead to 21-7 at half-time.

Bradford knew they needed to score first after the break if they were to stay in the contest and they came up with a try that was converted to bring them to within seven points again.

A period of stalemate followed before it was broken as the visitors were awarded another penalty within sight of the posts and Breakwell took the chance to make it 24-14.

Back came Salem again, however, with their third try 10 minutes from time making it an exciting finish.

When they went over again for a bonus point try five minutes time it was all to play for, although a missed conversion attempt had left the scores now tied at 24-24.

It was Cleck who came up with the winning score, though, as that man Breakwell held his nerve to slot over a brilliant match-winning drop-goal.

He finished with a personal haul of 17 points and had led his team to a key victory over opponents three places higher up the league.

Cleckheaton are back at home this Saturday when they host Wath Upon Dearne who are one place above them in the table.