Derby showdown proves tough for YM

of a line-out to again send Swetman over the line for a try which he again converted.

YMCA had their moments but couldn’t crack the home defence, being denied on a couple of occasions by good tackling.

Cleckheaton were unlucky not to score yet another try before halftime, but led 14-6 at the break.

The second half continued with Cleckheaton driving the ball upfield while the YM were trying to spin it wide.

It was only a matter of time before YMCA’s defence was breached and Cleckheaton full-back James Wilson was on hand to go through a gaping hole to score and Swetman added the extras.

YMCA rallied when their man-ofthe-match Sam Hodge charged down an attempted kick out of defence and allowed the YM to gain good field position.

From a neat move Stead came into the line at the right angle to throw the defence off balance and he scorched over the line to get a well earned try.

Stead also added the conversion to give the visitors some hope at 21-13.

Swetman steadied Cleckheaton almost from the restart he kicked a penalty which YMCA had conceded for interfering with the ball at the ruck.

Cleckheaton lost second row Ryan Piercy for 10 minutes after he had been adjudged to have used a swinging arm in the tackle, but the visitors couldn’t take advantage of their superiority.

Both sides continued to probe looking for gaps and eventually Cleckheaton were awarded a penalty after YMCA were pulled for backchat to the referee.

They kicked for touch and secured the line-out before releasing the ball down the line leaving substitute Ronan Evans as the man to finish the move with the final try of the game – thereby securing the home side a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Swetman added the extras to take the final score to 31-13.

“It has brought a new vibe to the squad, which has been great. It is quite nice, everyone learning from each other.

“We have been together two weeks now, and we will obviously have a good look at that (Australia) game and pull it apart. I think there is a lot to be excited about.”

Wales were ultimately undone by three first-half tries and poor defensive exit strategies, yet the second period proved in stark contrast as they outscored the Wallabies and a grandstand finish beckoned until visiting full-back Kurtley Beale claimed a contentious breakaway try.

“I think it is a starting point,” Ball added. “There were some errors in our 22 that probably cost us the game.

“I don’t think there was a big difference between the two of us (teams), just a couple of errors that got us on the wrong side of the scoreboard.”