CLECKHEATON travelled to Driffield looking to record a first away league win this season but they came up short, losing 38-26 after a disappointing second half.

A much-changed team from last week's Yorkshire Cup success took the field. Niall Jackson started at prop, Bradley Marsden returned in the second row, with Josh Plunkett moving to No8 and Danny Booth made his first start for the club at left wing.

Driffield played with the breeze in the first half and got an early try when elusive centre Ben Dinsdale burst through some indifferent tackling to score to the right of the posts. Watts converted to make it 7-0.

Cleckheaton got into the game and after good approach play, Martin Woodhead put Booth into space and the pacy wing scored wide on the left. Ben Dearing added the goal on his return to his former club and it was 7-7 after 16 minutes.

Two minutes later, Driffield restored their lead when Dinsdale got away to score a long range try under the posts with Watts adding the simple conversion.

Matt Piper got the next score for the visitors when he burst onto a short inside pass from Dearing to score his third try of the season. Dearing added the extras to level the scores again.

Cleckheaton were guilty of coughing up possession when in good field position on a number of occasions but when an attack down Driffield's left flank looked to have been lost, the referee deemed the ball had been kicked ahead.

James Wilson followed up and won the chase to the line, with Dearing converting to give Cleckheaton a 21-14 lead.

This advantage did not last long. Jack Seddon knocked on in midfield and Ben Dinsdale completed his hat trick with another try. Watts converted and it was 21-21 at half time with all to play for.

Driffield went ahead again five minutes into the second half and it was Dinsdale who crossed again for the bonus point try. Watts' kick made it 28-21.

The home team were retaining possession well but it was a piece of opportunism that put them further ahead.

When Dearing was clearing a kick downfield, a spectacular grab kept the ball in play and quick hands by the backs put wing Joe Robinson clear to score Driffield's fifth try. Watts' conversion put his side two scores clear for the first time at 35-21.

Cleckheaton got their bonus point try on 62 minutes when possession was secured at a lineout and Josh Plunkett expertly controlled the maul to crash over the line for an unconverted try.

The final score came from a Watts penalty on 67 minutes and while Cleckheaton dominated possession in the final 10 minutes, the handling errors continued, as they failed to score and add a losing bonus point.

Cleckheaton remain 12th in the league, but they should bounce back next week as winless Consett visit Moorend for the first time. Kick off is at 2:15pm.