Morley 10-45 Otley

Otley visited Morley for the 1st time in 4 years, the hosts having strengthened recently, and expected another tough encounter. The standard Saturday night downpour made out a sloppy pitch, but the lads rolled their sleeves up and soon got down to work. More reshuffling of the team gave more opportunities saw AJ Toyne have a crack at No8, Charlie Medley at flyhalf, Rhys Stokey moved to center and Toby Foster to fullback for the starting 13. The early exchanges saw both teams testing each other out, Morley's big pack being contained by aggressive defence led by Alex Mort, George Gillson and Dylan Duckmanton. Despite the challenging conditions, Otley pressed on with the width game. Medley looked composed at 10 and got the ball out to wingers Isaac Rhodes and Toby Shippey as often as possible. Brett Robinson made a couple of huge runs through the middle of the field as Otley started to dominate the game. Duckmanton broke into the 22 and rounded the fullback to get over in the corner. This was quickly followed by George Nancolas breaking through and going 65m unopposed for an superb individual score. A terrific tackle by Shippey dislodged the ball to be snaffled by Zak Nkomu-Smith to drive forward, his pass to Harry Cropp gave him the chance to barge his way over with defenders left scattered across the field. Hamish Hibbert seemed to enjoy the space and time he found at outside center, his unreal footwork led to another line break finished off by Toyne in the corner unopposed. Fraser Tighe was the next to find a hole in the Morley defense, who having initially got back, could repel the 2nd phase as Foster put another on the money cross kick for Medley to dot down. Morley to their credit kept coming back, and got 2 quick scores as they threatened the comeback. A shuffle of the deck for Otley as more rolling subs came back on, the pitch making it very hard work for the lads, and this fresh energy allowed Otley to stretch out and finish the game in complete control. Nancolas galloped away for his 2nd try, Will Reavey then went on a wild mazy run to score a nice try in the corner. The match ball had that much mud stuck on it that it looked to double in size, but the handling of it was so impressive. Sam Davy had his forwards on the close pick and go game, Archie Fuller continuing to impress week after week, Robinson and Gillson being the main characters. When the ball was fired out out, the passing was fast and accurate to Foster, now at flyhalf after a really good showing at fullback, and he got the ball wide. Rhys Stokey was on the inside of a break to dot down. Isaac Rhodes was just held up short, but Alfie Asquith was there to grab the try. The game entered the final minute, Bobby Crabtree drew the last man to give Duckmanton a free run to the line. With his dad Jason in prime position under the posts with camera in hand, Dylan went into full Klinsmann mode with the huge dive only to drop the ball!! A classic way to end the game, and ultimately the season.

An excellent team performance in rather terrible conditions in which every single player, bar the unavailable Joe Rock and Louis Broughton, stood up and contributed to beat a Morley side who are much better opposition than the final score suggests as this was real arm wrestle of a game. The lads have given absolutely everything this year, improvement has gone through the roof, and they should all be mega proud of their efforts. Roll on next year!