By Stefan
February 26 2006

EARTH TITANS A-Team swept aside hapless Cleckheaton to return to the top of the NCA Table. The result - 27 to nil - looked convincing enough but the leaders need to return to top quality levels... and fast if their are to retain their place.

Let's be polite. This wasn't one of the A-team's better performances but they got away with it and a first half try by winger Dave Bolton followed by second half tries from flyhalf Tom Bullough, prop forward Sam Walsh and scrumhalf Alex Drage saw them home.

The Titans, dominating the set-piece, never looked in danger of conceding points. The forwards bossed territory throughout the game and numerous scoring positions were created but frustratingly not taken.

The game had no passion, especially in the first half, and for long periods the visitors were unable to turn their superiority into points.

Quick thinking fullback - Gareth Brear - created the opening score on 13 minutes, his quick tap-penalty caught the home defence out of position, his dart and pass gave the opening try to Bolton. Brear's penalty on 34 minutes made the score 8-0 at the break.

In the second half the Titans resumed their scoring when a 15-minute try-burst added three tries and 19 points to the score sheet. Tries on 50, 55 and 65 minutes by Bullough, Walsh and Drage - two of them converted by Brear - threatened to overwhelm basement Cleckheaton. However, a yellow card and injuries took the steam out of Roth's closing efforts.

Earth Titans:
Gareth Brear; Gareth Morley, Phil Dale, Will Kirtley (Mick Bailey 60), Dave Bolton (Peter Lewis 21); Tom Bullough, Alex Drage; Sam Walsh, Jonny Larby, Sam Coy, Andrew Robinson, Tim Maslanyk, Mick Bailey, Nick Barrett, Richard Sawyer (Tristan Laga 45).

Titans Scorers:
Dave Bolton (T), Tom Bullough (T), Sam Walsh (T), Alex Drage (T), Gareth Brear (P2C).

Yellow Card:
Jonny Larby (67 min.)