Unbeaten leaders Heath prove too strong for Cleckheaton RUFC
Cleckheaton RUFC’s tough start to 2026 continued as they were well beaten again at top of the table Heath in the Regional One North East.
After an 82-0 hammering at Harrogate the week before there was an improvement, but again they failed to put any points on the board in a 59-0 defeat.
Cleckheaton were up against the division’s dominant team as Heath came into the game having won all of their previous 15 league games.
They showed why they are 13 points clear the top with another strong performance in which they ran in nine tries.
A large crowd gathered for the derby game and the Halifax side soon exerted pressure, resulting in an early try for Jonny Cole after Cleck had a player sin-binned.
Chris Johnson then sent Dan Cole over for another try and it was 12-0 after 15 minutes.
The visitors showed spirit as they tried hard to hit back, but they came up against rock-like defence from Heath and their own defence was breached by a breakaway try scored by Jake Haynes.
With Cleck struggling in the scum, Heath scored again through Chris Moore. And from the restart an attempted clearance kick by Johnson was charged down, but the ball bounced favourably for Haynes who raced away before sending Harvey Keighley-Payne over.
The hosts ended the first half with 14 men after Moore was yellow carded, but they were 31-0 ahead.
The second half continued in the same manner with Ben Skinner soon crashing over and Heath then coming up with another long range effort finished by Alex McFadden.
Harvey Keighley-Payne was next to cross to make it 52-0 with 20 minutes remaining and try as they might Cleck could not breakthrough determined Heath defending.
Although the home team lost Johnson to the sin-bin they added another try through Haynes.
Cleckheaton are next in action at home to Ilkley on Saturday, February 14.