Saturday’s game between Penrith and Cleckheaton was a prime example of a dead rubber with both sides already relegated and nothing other than pride to play for.
Penrith though, after all their trials and tribulations throughout the season, were determined to finish it on a bit of a high and did so with a 65-17 victory.
With this in mind they started strongly and were ahead in the second minute. They had received the kick-off and made good ground but then lost the ball in contact, from where the visitors moved it predictably along their back line.
Jay Rossi was quick to read the move, pouncing on the interception to sped under the posts unopposed.
They were not long in adding to their score after Ant Davis won line-out ball in the visitors’ 22 following a penalty. The home forwards pounded the try line, and after Adam Howe and Scott Lancaster went close Jack Gaskell provided the finishing touch to claim the try.
Cleckheaton, at this point, looked very fragile and the Cumbrians took full advantage. Penrith thought their season had been plagued with injuries and unavailabilities using 58 players, but their opposition trumped that having using 62.
Penrith would score a further six tries before the break when the visitors then found a bit of belief and played a bit of decent rugby themselves.
Fin Binks was next on the scoresheet after the home side pressured the line, good work by Sonny Askins and a looped pass to the wing by Nick Dudson saw him go in at the corner.
Cleckheaton then did manage some time in the home 22 but they spilt possession and Sam Wilson fly hacked the ball into the away half.
The defenders got back to claim the ball but Dudson stole possession and when the ball was spun right Askins claimed the score.
Gaskell grabbed his second try with possession from a line-out following a penalty. Forward pressure had the visitors’ defenders on their own line and Lancaster was prominent again softening them up before Gaskell did the rest.
His second try had moved him one score in front of fellow prop Howe in the race to be the side’s top scorer and he finished the afternoon on a total of nine while Howe did not add to his total of eight before the game.
Jack Huddart was next to go over and was just rewards for his improving performances this season. Exactly the same could be said of Morgan Bland who galloped in for the next score after a Rob Coward break.
Binks got a second try in his second senior game finishing off a well worked team try in which Wilson and Dudson played a major part.
The visitors then got themselves into the game just before the break when their number eight broke from a scum in the home 22 and got to the line from where his forwards were able to cross for the try.
Penrith led 44-5 as they turned round for a second half that was a bit more even.
The home side managed three more tries. An Askins break set Rossi up for his second score; Dudson was able to take advantage of a mix up after a poor clearance kick by the visitors to score an easy try and Dudson was involved again as he set Fraser Nicolson away to show his pace to score.
The visitors managed a couple more tries themselves and looked a much better side in the second period.
Unsurprisingly the game did have an end of season feel to it but it was a bit more than that, more an end of era feel as both Scott Lancaster and Sam Wilson announced their retirements.
Both had been great servants to the side and both had great influence both on and off the field.
Penrith can now lick their wounds and plan for next season.
