Cleckheaton U11s vs Pontefract U11s

Cain and Cooke lead the way with outstanding Man of the Match performances

Pontefract travelled the short distance to Cleckheaton for their game this morning and what a game it was. With good strong numbers, the team was split into two, with each team then alternating to take to the field every 10 minutes with Cleckheaton agreeing.
The first quarter had Earley, Potter, Corbett, Cooke, Morton, Wilson, McCauley, Gilmore and Barnett take to the field. Setting the structure as worked on in training where players worked forward in their pods, players rucking to protect the ball and then getting the ball out down through hands. The team did this from the off, with Cleckheaton finding it hard to contain and control them. Cooke led the way by controlling the ball from the rucks and scrums and Corbett distributing the ball and strong counter rooking as well. The team scored 3 trys and didn't concede one, Pontefract’s trys coming from Corbett, Wilson and Cooke.
The second quarter saw Cain, Longdon, Lee-Wilby, Evans, Soulsby, Lankey, Johnson, Bramham and Simmons take to the field. The team took a little time to wake up, in defence seeming to bunch and not fill the field. But were strong in attack, rucking, counter rucking and winning the ball back, using the width of the field to their advantage. Also just like team one, sticking to the structure set in training. Pontefract scored 3 trys in the quarter, but the Cleckheaton players kept coming and driving and found themselves crossing Pontefracts whitewash twice. Pontefract’s trys coming from Simmons with 2 and Longdon with one.
A half time talk from the coaches was key and the players listening to what was being asked of them and both teams reacting and doing so in the next 2 quarters.
The third quarter was a complete change of pace and ability from Pontefract in both attack and defence. Corbett distributed the ball down the back line after gaining yards and been won by the forwards and Cooke controlling them. As the ball went through hands, Gilmore and McCauley found gaps down the wings only to be held out by Cleckheaton. But the team kept piling on the pressure and eventually found gaps and Cleckheaton napping with Earley and Wilson both barging through and going over the whitewash. Potter being niggly at every breakdown and when with the ball in hands, just as much a handful, also crossed over for a try and Gilmore getting the ball and out pacing the opposition and scoring as well.
The fourth quarter was very much like the third, the team woke, in defence being solid and counter rucking, with Cain and Soulsby leading the charge. Cain won several counter rucks and Soulsby solid in his tackling and not letting anyone by. Lee-Wilby and Evans taking it turn to scrum half, getting the ball to the forwards who in pods made their way up the field and then the ball being distributed through hands with pace and accuracy. Cleckheaton held on and was resilient but eventually getting caught out with Bramham scoring a try, after ball through hands from a great attacking move. Cleckheaton then caught Pontefract napping with a quick turn of pace and running up the wing to score themselves.
End score, Pontefract 11 try’s and Cleckheaton 3. An all great out and out performance from the team.