U14's progress into the Yorkshire Cup semi finals

Morley chose to play down the hill on the sloping cemetery pitch in the first half. This was enough to give them the advantage in the scrums and mauls. Allowing them to keep the ball in possession and move the ball through the forwards as well as the backs. Hull playing up hill ran the ball well and did well at pinning Morley back on their own line several times.

In broken play Hull were very good at ripping the ball, countering Morley moves using their guards to stifle Morley forwards. This led to Morley pushing the ball wide, however so many times the final ball was either offloaded or ran too far and Hull swallowed up the attacking player. The break through came from some great support play, half a break, keeping the ball alive and a quick jink from the runner through a scrambling defence led to what looked an easy try.

Morley were able to repeat this a couple more times, great support play and good offloading allowed those supporting to make runs towards the line and more good footwork was rewarded with tries.

In hindsight it was like Hull were still waking up and not at the races. They tightened their defence and stopped Morley cutting though the middle. Morley went wide and through some scrappy play were able to score from some kicking and racing for the ball and good wing play. This gave Morley a 4 try lead and breathing space, however Hull were getting their game together and Morley spent the last 10 minutes defending their own line. Halftime arrived in the nick of time!

In the second half with the wind and slope in their favour Hull began well and pushed Morley back. In literally a game of two halves, Morley struggled to get out of their own half. Twice Morley got into their opponents half, crossing the line once only to be held up over the line. This was a brief moment as Morley spent most of the half pinned in their own half and on their own line for long desperate periods.

With some brave tackling and full blooded commitment from Morley they were keeping Hull at bay. Hull were dominant, not allowing Morley to push forward, spread the ball wide, really holding the game. Kicks were returned with ease, hard strong tackles forced mistakes from Morley, Morley were struggling. However what ever Hull threw at Morley, Morley matched it in defence and for a change Morley had to dig deep and keeping that clean sheet meant a lot.

Morley achieved that clean sheet, and for the first time in a long time, didn't score in that half and a draw for that half was a good result for Morley.