Last-gasp kick denies Cleckheaton victory in first meeting with Wath
After back to back victories Cleckheaton RUFC looked set to win again only to suffer last minute heartbreak in their home game with Wath on Dearne in the Regional Two North East.
The first-ever meeting between the two sides turned out to be a classic encounter, but the Moorend boys were left kicking themselves after they let a 15-point lead slip to lose 29-28.
The lead changed hands five times before Wath clinched victory with the last play of the thrilling game.
The hosts opened the scoring from their first attack as from a line-out Archie Rika Rayne was driven over the line .
Archie Robinson then got on the end of Dale Breakwell’s crossfield kick and showed fine pace and trickery to cross for a fine try.
Dale Breakwell converted and added a penalty six minutes later to put Cleckheaton 15-0 up.
Wath hit back with their first points on 24 minutes as a blind side move came off to give them a try that was converted.
Cleck had another good spell, but after Jack Milner was held short of the line he was penalised for a double movement and a good chance had gone begging.
Breakwell’s long range penalty attempt fell short as Wath were relieved again and Jacob Sowden was then driven over the line but could not ground the ball.
Another chance went when full-back Rory Woolett threw a long pass that was just out of Robinson’s grasp and the visitors were fortunate to only be 15-7 down at the break.
Wath showed a more clinical edge as they struck in the second half with a try from close range which was converted.
They added a third try to take the lead and with the conversion landed they were six points ahead.
Cleck had been starved of possession, but Felix Preece-Jones pounced on a loose ball to race away for an opportunist try. Breakwell tagged on the extras and they were back a point ahead.
The lead was taken out to 25-21 with a Breakwell penalty landed from 35 metres out.
But Wath were back in front with another try wide on the right, although the conversion was missed and this could have proved vital as Breakwell sent the ball between the posts for another penalty goal to make it 28-26 to the hosts in stoppage time.
Cleck were awarded another penalty and kicked to touch. They won the resulting line-out, but from the maul that followed they lost possession. The visitors launched a counter attack and kept the ball skilfully through several phases to make their way downfield. A penalty for offside was awarded and they kicked it to snatch victory.
Cleckheaton’s next game is at Pontefract on November 21.