Morley shine in woeful conditions

With such woeful weather over the past few weeks, the game had to be played on the sloping cemetery pitch, which gives one team the unenviable task of playing up hill. Add to this the torrential rain in a very strong wind blowing down the slope, it was always going to be tough for one team.

Morley chose to kick up the hill to start with and were soon at the bottom of the slope defending. However with some good ball handling and a quick break they found themselves getting towards the WPL try line. Quick play the balls and good support play helped keep the ball near the WPL line. WPL were very strong in the ruck and soon had the ball back and with some good ball play and kick were soon back defending. Testament to both teams it was a full 10 minutes before there was a break in play, both teams giving their all and players from both side pushing themselves physically.

Morley got the first break through, this coming from within their own half, breaking a tackle and with further support play were soon over the WPL line, the try converted.

WPL were soon on the Morley line from the restart and didn't hold back. Morley tackled like demons with everyone throwing themselves into the defensive duties. Arrangements were made to play 15 minute intervals going downhill. Strangely Morley had scored uphill, as then did WPL with some great running and ball handling. They pressed into the corner and used their short ball forward play to great effect and edged ever closer to the try line, eventually going over with the ball placed on the line. Morley responded well and soon put the ball to good use and their opponents scrambling

WPL dominated the possession and territory during the whole game. Where Morley defended well and pressurised their opponents, Morley soon gave away the ball back to WPL.

The game developed a certain pattern whereby WPL dominated possession with their excellent rucking. Scrums were shared and lineouts shared, but WPL were the more skilful in neutralising the lineouts of their opponents. The sloping pitch, torrential rain and high winds stopped it being an open and expansive game, but that didn't stop both teams giving their all and playing a very physical game. Both teams ran hard, tried going wide, then up the middle, mixed it up and whilst WPL pushed forward Morley defended and tackled so well to just keep out WPL time and gain.

Morley managed to run in two more tried, one from distance with fast support play and one just from a massive forward charge close to the WPL try line, where on any other day it may well have been prevented.

The score line flatters Morley, yes they were good for the win, defended like heroes but possession and territory goes to WPL in a massive way, on this day Morley converted their few chances on other days these chances go begging, Morley bagged them when it counted and most impressively Morley with stood a full 60 minutes of high intensity rugby which is hard to find, WPL as good as they are offer this high intensity abundance.