Cleckheaton Preview

By Dave Picken - April 15 2011
Cleckheaton Preview
Jonny Boatman hasn't missed a training session this week. Sadly both he and his dog have been confined to providing encouragement from the sidelines thanks to JB's broken leg. But the presence of the stricken skipper is a fine example  of the spirit which has got the team to within three points of promotion ...

We have two games to get those points although there's no doubt that even a 3-0 victory against Cleckheaton in our last home game [kick off 3.00] would be just the ticket.

Brother Dan leads the team against one of the form sides in the division. Adam Larkin returns on the wing, after recovering from tonsilitis, with new goalkicker Stuart Waites dropping into the full back berth. Darren Thomas is on the bench alongside Peter Hodgson and Carl Miller.

Otherwise it is the same team which should have been well in front by half time at Wheatley Hills last week. In the end we came back strongly to score three tries in the last quarter and set up a great finale to the season.

Cleck arrive on the back of four good wins in the league plus a hard fought Yorkshire cup game at Hull RUFC on Wednesday. The visitors were apparently the stronger side in normal time which ended 20-20. However, former West second row Chris Murphy came on to stabilise things for the home side who then scored a couple of tries in the gathering gloom. They eventually ran out 40-20 winners.

Cleck have nothing left to play for but have already beaten our arch rivals Percy Park twice, and will want to avenge the defeat at their place on the first day of the season.

Whatever happens it promises to be a colourful day. Darren Thomas has arranged for nine bricklaying students from Lille in France, who are guests of the College of FE, to come along - they were offered a football game but prefer rugby.

It's also the annual Points West bunfight before the game and our friends in the Cleckheaton Committee always provide their own entertainment thanks to their rather obvious blazers.

The Bucks will be returning from their Cup Final at the Friarage - so let's hope both teams will have something tio celebrate come Saturday night.

West: Stu Waites, Andrew Cheslin, Luke Watson, Gavin Robinson, Adam Larkin, Gareth Foreman, Andrew Foreman, Jon Norris, Andrew Dixon, Adam Coates, Andrew Davies, Tom Dixon, Dan Boatman [capt], Liam Bailey, Stephen Stockdale. Reps: Carl Miller, Peter Hodgson, Darren Thomas.

Cleckheaton: Ross Hayden,  Martin Woodhead, Craig Blackburn, Gareth Lamb,  Mitch Ashworth,  James Wilson,   Mark Fletcher,   Paul Turner [capt],   Ed Chappelow,  Andy Piper,  Grant Turton,  Matt Beasty,  Ryan Piercy,  Mark Sergeant,   Richard Piper. Reps; Chris Piper,  Lee Queeley, Iain Gordon.

 
Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2011 10:08


Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: Tim S (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2011 10:29

Hopefully both the 1sts game v Cleckheaton and the Bucks Cup Final v Durham City will be well attended.

With respect to the first team game; the lucky 18 involved in the squad tomorrow will be reminded that plenty of others have contributed this season - it would be great to see as many of those players down at the club as possible helping to cheer the side on.

Same goes for the Bucks tie, where Sos has stayed as faithfull as can be to those who have represented the side on a regular basis this season - hopefully those not involved tomorrow who have contributed along the way will be able to go along and share in a County Cup win.

Best of luck both sides, whatever the outcomes tomorrow you can all be proud of your efforts so far this season.

TS

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: chris.harrison (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2011 12:56

I went down to watch the match at Cleckheaton at the beginning of the season and was impressed with them, as I was with us. They have a big hard pack and some useful backs.
I have been surprised that they did not show more in the division until now.

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: West Park Allotment (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2011 13:46

I have seen most of the home games and I have to say that my overall impression is that this league has been of a very high standard. If we go on to win it it will be an excellent achievement.
Must echo Tim Sawyer's comments about it being a team effort and that goes for off the pitch as well as on. So let's see a big turnout and a lot of support for our lads in their last hiome game. After superb results at places like Driffield, Carlisle and Wheatley Hills they deserve it.

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: Gareth Kerr (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2011 21:21

Best of luck to both teams tomorrow, and congratulations on a fantastic season.

Gareth

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: exiled west (IP Logged)
Date: 15/04/2011 21:34

all the best to both our teams so proud of what every one at the club has done

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: stuart bennett (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2011 03:56

Good luck to all for today - I will be in contact with people at the game (even though I am 4 hours ahead)- well done to all involved who have got the club to where it is this year

Bulls

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: Denny Dixon (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2011 06:14

A further good luck to both teams today from only 3 hours away!!! Won't dare to look until all is overand we are champions and cup winners!!! It will be tough for sure burt we have shown that all season so go too it lads!!!

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: Pretend Alickadoo (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2011 07:53

Now then Bulls! Good to hear from you mate.
Big Day at Black Rock today but the boys will be allreet - ground suits them now even if it doesn't suit some of us more senior members (or at least our joints!)
Keep on the wires pal.
Big opportunity to achieve great things today......Come on boys!

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: Dalyan (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2011 09:48

And from 2 hours away - Charlie, Parko and Helmut

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: West.fan (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2011 13:15

Best of luck to the Firsts and Bucks.
C'mon West

Re: Cleckheaton Preview
Posted by: Bill Featonby (IP Logged)
Date: 16/04/2011 13:40

Best of luck and hope you can clinch promotion in front of your own fans.

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