This outcome was not expected after the Friaragemen were heavily defeated by Cleckheaton earlier in the season at Moor End. And the game did take a bad turn straight away with the visitors scoring early after 6 minutes when captain Paul Turner, aided by his pack, drove over the line. Ross Hayden added the conversion.
Rovers hit back and some excellent forward play and clean hands through the back line found Steve Jones on the left wing, who still had a fair distance to make it to the line.
Both sides had spells of pressure up to half time, but both defences were strong and Cleckheaton held on to the 7-5 lead at the break.
The Friaragemen started the second period on the attack and after a drive into the away 22, we were awarded a penalty which Chris Sainty successfully kicked to put Rovers in to the lead.
James Masshedar, on his return to the 1st XV, had been involved in many of Rovers’ best moves and he started the attack that led to the White’s next points. Heading up the left wing he was high tackled by Matt Piper, who was sent to the sin bin by Mr Havery. The penalty awarded was well kicked again by Sainty, to increase the lead to 11-7.
The majority of the final quarter was spent defending against the visitors’ multiple attacks with the pressure being relieved occasionally with clearances to touch.
On 62 minutes the visitors regained the lead, when their pack powered to the line in the Steetley corner and after several phases Ryan Piercy forced his way over, Hayden’s conversion went wide to leave his side’s lead a narrow one, 12-11.
Rovers regained possession on their 22 and stormed up field looking for a last minute score. To their credit, Cleckheaton defence was strong as they fended of charges by Ian Coulson and Brian Foreman and didn’t concede a penalty.
With time almost up Darren Smith’s lineout take set up a series of driving mauls and eventually Rovers found themselves in front of the posts and Andrew Arnell fed Sainty, who slotted a perfect drop goal plumb through the middle of the posts from 30 metres. The players and supporters celebrated wildly and seconds later the final whistle blew.
This success was well deserved with all of the players once again giving everything they could and performing as a unit. Hopefully this will boost confidence among the players ahead of a tricky visit to Carlisle next week.
Well done lads!!
Rovers: Masshedar, Lilley, Foreman, Coulson, Jones (King 60), Sainty, A Arnell, S Smith (Tucker 57), Gregory, I Pinchen, D Smith, A Brown (c) (A Pinchen 51), Grazier, S Hall, Dring
Cleckheaton: Marshall (Ashworth 24), Woodhead, Blackburn, M Piper (Sin Bin 54), Hayden, Murphy, Depledge, Turner (c), Worsley, Furness (Beasty 33), Turton (Gilligan 73), Piercy, Chappelow, Sergeant, R Piper.
Referee: Steve Havery (Durham Society)