Cleckheaton 24 Wharfedale 40

AFTER the awful predictability of their 104-0 thrashing of Morley in their quarter-final, Yorkshire Cup holders Wharfedale were involved in a proper contest at Moorend.

Battling Cleckheaton led 17-14 with a 51st-minute drop goal by Matt Piper before being overtaken in the final 15 minutes by what was a mixture of first-team and second-team players.

Outgoing head coach Ian Armitage could not keep a smile off his face afterwards. He was delighted with his Cleckheaton team’s efforts, and said: “I am proud of the players against opponents who play two divisions higher than us.”

Wharfedale coach Jon Feeley added: “Well done to Cleckheaton, who put in a good effort.”

The more pessimistic among the home supporters were reckoning on a defeat by 50 points beforehand, and the way that Wharfedale were breaking the first-up tackles early on suggested that was a possibility.

Cleckheaton full back Ross Hayden, put them ahead with a penalty but they paid the price for a missed tackle when Cameron Hudson strode over for the Greens two minutes later, James Druce converting.

The hosts lost Michael Piper to a hamstring injury in the 19th minute, but Hayden, who moved to fly half in his place, landed a second penalty after Wharfedale lock Anthony Oxley was sin-binned for persistent team infringements.

Max Bell finished off another sweeping move for Wharfedale after good work from Hudson and Druce, who converted, but Hayden’s third penalty meant that Cleckheaton’s half-time deficit was only 14-9.

A Richard Brown try against his former club levelled matters in the second half, and Matt Piper’s drop goal put Cleckheaton ahead but, despite Richard Piper’s late converted try, they succumbed to efforts by Adam Howard, Tom Davidson, Ian Larkin and Druce, who added three conversions.

Wharfedale will face Harrogate in the final at West Park Leeds on April 30 (7.15).