A very welcome win cheered the Morley supporters at Scatcherd Lane. No doubt Moortown had their own absentees, but Morley were hard hit on Saturday. This was especially true in the backs with the likes of Dan Cass, George Kelly, Harrison Baylis, Nathan Parry, Theo Tyrer, Tom Davies, Will Kinder and Liam Butler not available or injured.

However, Jake Dearden, who was Morley regular but has only played 3 games for Morley in the last two years, returned to help out at centre. Similarly, the versatile Ed Kelly agreed to turn out as an emergency winger.

Despite Brad Freeman equalising an early Moortown try on 16 minutes, Morley spent the rest of the first half chasing shadows in a very poor performance as Moortown scored 2 tries, one conversion and one penalty to dominate the remainder of the half and lead 22 - 7 at half time.

Whatever Sid said at halftime galvanised the team into a monumental performance in the second half scoring 40 points and conceding only 7. Morley received the kick off and attacked down the cricket club side. After brief pressure near the scoreboard, Fox sent the ball out to Silkstone who had made an extra man. The ball was passed via Brereton to Dearden who arced round the defence to score 3 minutes into the 2nd half.

Morley returned to the attack through the forwards and Phipps dragged in several defenders before Silkstone emerged through a gap and holding off two defenders, plunged over the line to score. Hawkins failed to convert Dearden's try (his only missed conversion) but made no mistake this time to put Morley within touching distance at 19 - 22.

Morley were beginning to dominate proceedings at this stage and Fox, Brereton and Dearden were revelling in the amount of ball the forwards were generating. Hard runs from Abbott, Green and Stansfield punched a hole down the centre and only a marginally forward pass denied Bennett a try on the right wing.

On 59 minutes Brereton, on his 50th appearance and on his birthday, got the reward his persistence deserved when he brushed off 3 players to plant the ball firmly over the line by the post to give Morley the lead for the first time. Hawkins conversion pushed the score to 26 - 22.

Moortown kept trying, but Morley forwards were now in control. Brereton made another break to gain considerable ground up the centre and Hawkins took the play on to gain a scrum on the left. From the scrum the ball was moved swiftly to the right, the forwards followed as the ball was initial held up near the line with Lightowler and Morgan to the fore. However, it took a team effort to force the ball over for a score. Dec emerged from beneath a pile of bodies to claim his second try. Hawkins' touchline conversion was successful to put Morley 33-22 in front.

Moortown were down to 14 men when one of their players was yellow carded on 68 minutes and Morley were awarded a penalty try after a catch and drive move.
Nick Green was rather disappointed that the ref hadn't seen him touch down! The penalty try also meant that another Moortown player was sent to the sin bin for 10 mins.

Despite having a two man advantage and pushing on to score more points, Morley lost concentration and the spirited Moortown side finally got their bonus point try on 75 minutes. The try was converted to reduce the gap to 40 - 29.

However, Morley had the last word. Freeman made break up the centre. The move was carried on by Silkstone who had come up in support. He in turn passed to Bowen who charged up the stand touchline. He was eventually stopped 3m from the line but his pass gave Silkstone an easy run in to get his second try on 80 minutes. Hawkins conversion bring the scoring to an end at 47 - 22.

Morley's team

1 Dan Lightowler, 2 Sam Godfrey, 3 Marcus Abbott, 4 Brad Freeman, 5 Tomas Phipps, 6 George Bowen, 7 Jack Lewtas, 8 Tom Stansfield, 9 Noah Hawkins, 10 Sam Fox, 11 Ed Kelly, 12 Jake Dearden, 13 Declan Brereton, 14 Mickey Ryan, 15 Jamie Silkstone, 16 Morgan Hall, 17 Nick Green, 18 Robin Bennett

Try scorers - Dec Brereton (2), Jamie Silkstone (2), Brad Freeman, Jake Dearden, penalty try (although Greeny had already scored it!)
Con Noah Hawkins 5 (out of 6)

Photos of the match are available via the Media tab or by clicking the links below.

MRFC v Moortown - Nigel's photo's

MRFC v Moortown - Dennis' photo's

Cavaliers

The Cavaliers game at Moortown was abandoned after 50 minutes with Morley leading 21 - 17. Morley had been leading 21 - 12 at halftime but Moortown scored an unconverted try just before the incident which ended the game.
Morley scorers
Try Dan Basquill, Rhys Thomson
Con Charlie Frankland
Penalty Charlie Frankland (3)

George Wilkinson was diagnosed with a dislocated knee and a broken patella. He is now at home with his leg in a splint. He is able to get about using crutches and is waiting to hear what the next stage will be. We all wish him well and a speedy recovery. Further up dates will be posted when they ae known.

Next week the Cavaliers are at home to Old Brods whilst the 1st team make the reverse journey to Woodhead. Both games kick off at 2.15pm