Rossendale 15 Cleckheaton 8

Despite another battling performance and a losing bonus point,Cleckheaton were relegated back to North One East.

Both sides had to work hard to make ground in the testing conditions and it was the bigger home pack which laid the foundations for the first score in the 20th minute.

Centre John Appleton was given the space to burst through the Cleckheaton defence for a try which was converted by James Bramhall.

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Despite playing up the slope, Cleckheaton looked dangerous and their size disadvantage appeared to be of little consequence.

In the 28th minute, Rossendale No 7 Bryce Healey was given a yellow card for a ruck infringement, due in the main to the intense pressure exerted by the Cleckheaton pack.

Cleckheaton were up for the battle but it was the home side who extended their lead in the 57th minute with a penalty by James Bramhall.

Cleckheaton were next on the scoreboard when Dominic Castle took a quick penalty 30 metres out, made ground and the support was there for Mitch Ashworth to dive over. Iain Gordon was unsuccessful with the conversion.

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The game was in the balance until the 74th minute when No 8 Patrick Pole went over in the corner for a try which was not converted.

Two minutes later, Gordon kicked a penalty but a losing bonus point was scant reward for a season of near misses.

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