In this paper, the cluster consensus problem with delays of first-order nonlinear multi-agent systems is studied through pinning leader-following approach with periodic intermittent effect. The graph of the networked system is assumed to be directed and weakly connected. A new type of pinning consensus protocol with intermittent effect is designed according to the ways in which the agents link, specifically, the agents in each cluster are divided into three subsets due to the orientation of their topological degree, and each subset of agents is controlled by an individual law. A redefined notion on cluster consensus with two sorts of time delays is proposed in this article. Some consensus criteria are derived to guarantee that the agents in the same cluster asymptotically follow the virtual leader with a delay, while agents in different clusters reach consensus with delays via following their leaders. Some numerical simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.